Columbia  ©nitotrsiftp 
intlieCitpoflmgark 

THE   LIBRARIES 


Bequest  of 

Frederic  Bancroft 

1860-1945 


^^ 


MEMOIR 


OF 


Eev.  SAMUEL  B.  McPHEETERS,  D.  D. 

BY 

REV.  JOHN  S.  GRASTT, 

Author  of  "  Faith's  Battles  and  Victories." 

WITH   AN 

INTRODUCTIQ]^, 

BY 

REV.    STUART    ROBINSON,    D.    D. 


"My  Faithful  Martyr" — Rev.  ii.  13. 


SAINT  LOUIS: 

SOUTHWESTERN  BOOK  AND  PUBLISHING  COMPANY. 

LOUTSVILT.E:    DAVIDSON    BROTHERS    &  CO. 

1871. 


J 


f 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  lJ^7o,  by 

REV.  JOHN  S.  GRASTY, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


/  rtf^^ 


stereotyped  and  printed  by 
SOUTHWESTERN  BOOK  AXD  PUBLISHING  CO., 

510  AND   512  WASHINGTON  AVEyUE, 

SAINT  LOUIS. 


CO 


i 


INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS. 

BY    REV.    STUART    ROBINSON. 


On  the  death  of  Dr.  McPheeters  the  desire  seemed  spontaneous  and 
very  general  among  those  who  had  intimately  known  him,  especially  in  the 
last  years  of  his  life,  that  some  permanent  memorial  should  be  preserved  of 
a  man  so  noble  by  nature  and  of  a  Christian  life  and  character  so  pure  and 
lovely. 

Such  a  desire  might,  indeed,  have  been  the  impulse  of  a  very  natural 
feeling,  akin  to  that  which  seeks  to  preserve  the  physical  lineaments  of  the 
departed  loved  ones  by  means  of  the  artist's  skill.  The  Christian  men  and 
women  who  had  contemplated  with  holy  pride  so  heavenly  a  character  among 
them  here  on  earth  might  naturally  enough  desire  some  memorial  which 
should  preserve  for  them  the  lineaments  of  the  spirit  of  this  man  of  God, 
vnth.  whom  and  under  whose  lead  they  had  approached  the  very  gate  of 
heaven. 

But  still  other  considerations  led  to  this  desire  of  a  INIemoir  of  Dr.  Mc- 
Pheeters. Earnest  and  intelligent  Christians,  who  looked  to  the  valuable 
results  of  such  a  life  in  strengthening  the  faith  and  increasing  the  courage  of 
the  timid  and  desponding,  judged  rightly  that  in  a  day  of  rebuke  and  spiritual 
declension  it  is  important  to  hold  up  such  examples  of  what  the  grace  of 
God  is  still  doing  in  the  Church  on  earth,  notwithstanding  the  prevalence 
of  spiritual  leanness,  by  way  of  demonstrating  that  the  Church  is  not  left 
without  \vitness  how  the  Gospel,  in  its  simplicity,  is  still  the  power  of  God 
through  faith  unto  salvation. 


IV  INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS. 

And  what  more  effective  "short  method"  with  the  scoffers  of  our  day 
can  be  put  into  the  hands  of  Christian  people — so  often  assailed  with  the 
charge  of  the  failure  of  the  followers  of  Christ  to  come  up  to  the  Gospel 
standard  which  they  profess  to  accept — than  the  spiritual  portraiture  of  a 
man  concerning  whom  skeptics  were  often  heard  to  say,  that  his  life  and 
character  were  an  insurmountable  difficulty  in  the  way  of  accepting  their 
own  skeptical  theories  ?  The  wish  was,  therefore,  eminently  reasonable 
that  in  such  a  memorial  Dr.  McPheeters,  being  dead,  should  yet  speak  to 
the  raiiers  and  scoffers  of  this  generation. 

It  will  not  be  thought  surprising  either  that  the  men  with  whom  Dr. 
INIcPheeters  stood  during  the  recent  ten  years'  conflict  in  the  Church,  to 
witness  for  what  they  deemed  truths  vital  to  the  Church  of  God,  and  even 
to  suffer  for  them  as  occasion  called  for  it,  should  earnestly  desire  to  per- 
petuate the  memorial  of  one  who  witnessed  so  faithfully  and  suffered  so 
conspicuously  in  earnestly  contending  for  the  "faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints."  Indeed,  it  may  be  suggested  that,  aside  from  considerations  of 
reverence  for  his  memory,  it  is  peculiarly  important  to  the  interests  of  truth 
and  righteousness  that  such  an  example  should  be  held  up  before  the  men 
of  feeble  convictions,  that  they  may  see  how  important  the  issues  involved 
were  deemed  by  the  wise  and  gentle  servant  of  Christ — seeing  that,  however 
averse  by  nature  to  strife  and  controversy,  he  felt  called  upon  to  stake  ease 
and  comfort  and  personal  friendship,  in  short,  his  all  in  this  world,  upon 
issues  which  these  men  of  feeble  convictions  have  regarded  as  arising  out 
of  mere  personal  or  sectional  prejudices. 

It  is  not  unfrequently  the  case,  moreover,  that  a  true  portraiture  of  the 
witness  for  the  truth  is  highly  important,  if  not  essential,  to  the  proper 
defense  of  the  truths  for  which  he  has  testified.  While,  indeed,  good  men 
often  are  the  advocates  of  dangerous  error,  bad  men  are  seldom  the  advo- 
cates of  truth.     And,  therefore,  it  has  ever  been  the  strateg}'  of  errorists 


INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS.  V 

and  usurpers,  especially  when  argument  fails  them,  to  attack  the  character 
of  the  witnesses  for  the  truth,  relying  upon  the  experience  of  men  to  draw 
the  conclusion  that  truth  and  right  can  hardly  be  on  the  side  of  such  advo- 
cates and  witnesses.  Hence  that  tyrant  of  Rome,  of  whom  Tacitus  tells 
us,  was  but  a  somewhat  exaggerated  type  of  partisan  bigotry  and  violence 
in  all  ages  before  and  since.  Speaking  of  Nero's  effort  to  avert  the  popular 
eye  from  himself  as  the  great  criminal  in  the  conflagration  of  Rome,  the 
historian  says:  "Xero,  to  silence  the  rumor,  substituted  as  the  criminals, 
and  executed  with  terribly  ingenious  tortures,  a  people  odious  for  their  out- 
rageous practices,  whom  the  rabble  called  Christians,  and  at  their  execution 
they  were  made  a  public  sport  of  and  wrapped  in  the  skins  of  savage 
beasts,  that,  worried  and  torn  of  the  dogs,  they  might  miserably  perish." 

In  both  points  of  the  strateg)^ — the  investing  the  innocent  with  the  aspect 
of  the  guilty  in  the  eyes  of  rational  men,  and  with  the  covering  of  the 
savage  beasts  in  the  eyes  of  the  irrational  dogs,  he  seldom  fails  to  find 
imitators  in  every  excitement  of  partisan  fury;  and  it  is  only  what  is  due  to 
the  truth  of  history  in  calmer  times  that  the  persecutors  and  the  persecuted 
be  set  in  their  real  light,  at  least  before  the  rational  world. 

But,  aside  from  all  this,  it  is  manifestly  just  that  the  principles  for  which 
Dr.  McPheeters  testified  should  have  the  benefit  of  his  lofty  character  as  a 
man,  and  his  gentle,  wise  and  holy  character  as  a  Christian  minister. 

With  this  general  conviction  of  the  importance  of  such  a  work,  the  first 
inquiry  was,  '*\Mio  shall  be  selected,  or,  rather,  who  shall  be  found,  to 
execute  the  task  ?  "  For  it  was  needful  to  find  one  who  should  combine  in 
himself  the  taste  and  skill,  as  a  writer,  requisite  to  the  work ;  the  industry 
to  collect  and  the  judgment  to  arrange  and  organize  the  materials  collected 
from  so  various  quarters ;  the  opportunities  to  execute  the  work  speedily 
enough  to  gratify  the  public  desire;  with  the  personal  knowledge  of  and 
interest  in  the  life  and  character  of  Dr.  McPheeters  that  should  make  this  a 


VI  INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS. 

labor  of  love.  Among  the  large  circle  of  friends  there  were  many  who 
possessed  some  of  the  qualifications  in  an  eminent  degree,  but  few  in  whom 
they  all  combined.  It  was  determined,  after  carefully  considering  the  ques- 
tion, that  his  co-Presbyter  and  nearest  ministerial  neighbor.  Rev.  John  S. 
Grasty,  should  be  requested  to  undertake  the  work,  and  after  no  little  doubt 
and  hesitation  he  yielded  to  the  request. 

How  the  work  has  been  performed  must  be  left  to  the  reader  to  judge. 
It  is  not,  however,  risking  much  to  express  the  opinion  that  the  author  has 
displayed  judgment  and  skill  in  his  method,  and  in  the  arrangement  of  the 
copious  materials  which  his  energy  and  industry  had  gathered,  while  excel- 
lent good  taste  is  exhibited  throughout  in  the  style  of  execution.  His  single 
aim  is  to  present  in  full  view  Samuel  B.  IMcPheeters — the  man,  the  Chris- 
tian, the  minister,  the  hero.  His  conception  of  his  office  as  the  biographer 
of  a  good  man  is  just.  He  aims  not  to  display  himself,  but  his  theme ;  to 
present  the  portraitures  of  Dr.  IMcPheeters  as  he  appeared  to  those  who 
knew  and  loved  him  best,  without  attempting  to  retouch  or  improve  them ; 
to  present  the  facts  upon  which  the  public  may  pronounce  a  verdict,  without 
attempting  to  play  the  advocate  in  coloring,  or  the  judge  in  pronouncing 
upon  the  facts.  Even  in  detaihng  the  story  of  strifes  and  controversies,  he 
wisely  avoids  becoming  himself,  in  spirit  or  word,  a  party  to  the  contro- 
versies, but  leaves  eacli  party  in  its  records  to  tell  its  own  story. 

On  the  whole,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  not  only  the  friends 
of  Dr.  IMcPheeters,  but  the  public  at  large,  will  judge  that  IMr.  Grasty  has 
in  this  work  fairly  won  a  title  to  their  esteem  and  gratitude. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

Page. 

Ancestry — Origin  of  the  name 9 

CHAPTER    II. 
Early  Days 30 

CHAPTER    III. 
Seminary  Life 41 

CHAPTER    IV. 
Invitation  to  Virginia — Ministry  to  the  Colored  People 67 

CHAPTER    V. 
Settlement  and  Labors  in  Amelia 84 

CHAPTER    VI. 
Removal  to  St.  Louis— Peaceful  Years — Visit  to  New  Mexico — Pastoral 
Letters 107 

CHAPTER     VII. 
Columbus  Assembly — Correspondence  with  G.  P.  Strong  and  others..   Ill 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

Reply  to  an  Attack  in  Missouri  Democrat — Action  of  Pine  Street  Ses- 
sion    141 


VIII  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER     IX. 

Page. 
Dr.  McPlieeters  puts  his  Resignation  into  the  hands  of  Presbytery — 
Why — Erastian  Views  of  Northern  Assembly 159 

CHAPTER    X. 
Statement  of  Doctrine  and  Principles 168 

CHAPTER    XI. 
Interview  with  Mr.  Lincoln — Appeal  to  Synod 183 

CHAPTER     XII. 

Letter  to  Gov.  Gamble — Letters  of  Judge  Bates,  President  Lincoln,  &c.   196 

CHAPTER    XIII. 
The  Newark  Assembly — Speech  of  Hon.  Wm.  T.  Wood 202 

CHAPTER     XIV. 
Speech  of  Dr.  McPheeters  before  the  Assembly  in  Newark 242 

CHAPTER    XV. 

Remarks  of  Drs.  Rice,  Junkin,  Musgrave  and  Schenck — Assembly's 
Decision — The  Decision  Reviewed 278 

CHAPTER    XVI. 
Pittsburg  Assembly — Declaration  and  Testimony 299 

CHAPTER    XVII. 
Pastoral  Work  at  Mulberry 331 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 
Final  Visit  to  St.  Louis — Last  Days 345 

CHAPTER    XIX. 
Testimonials — Letters  of  Condolence 348 

CHAPTER    XX. 
The  Author's  Estimate 373 


MEMOIR    OF 
S.    B.    McPHEETEPvS,    D.    D 


CHAPTER    I. 

ANCESTRY. 

THE  late  Rev.  Wm.  ^IcPheeters,  D.  D.,  of  Raleigh,  N.  C, 
took  pains  to  secure  an  accurate  register  of  his  ancestors' 
for  several  generations.  This  record  shall  be  used  freely, 
First,  because  of  its  intrinsic  interest;  secondly,  for  the 
reason  that  it  will  be  agreeable  to  a  wide  circle  of  relatives  and 
friends  to  possess  in  a  permanent  form  a  family  history  so 
complete ;  but,  in  the  third  place,  and  chiefly,  because  the  prov- 
idential dealings  with  this  household  illustrate  with  singular 
clearness  that  it  is  the  way  of  the  Almighty  to  "  confirm  to  the 
children"  those  rich  promises  of  grace  v/hich  "he  made  afore- 
time unto  the  Fathers." 

Dr.  Wm.  McPheeters  says : 

The  origin  of  the  name  McPheeters,  according  to  a  family 
tradition,  is  as  follows :  A  certain  man  named  Peter  Hume, 
who  resided  in  the  Highlands  of  Scotland,  had  by  his  first  wife 
several  children.  After  her  death  he  married  a  second  wife, 
by  whom  he  had  one  son.  If  he  had  other  children  by  her, 
nothing  is  now  known  respecting  them.  Peter's  second  mar- 
riage, it  is   conjectured,  took  place  when  he  was  somewhat 


lO.,  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D,  D. 

advanced  in  years,  and  after  the  children  of  his  first  wife  (or 
some  of  them  at  least)  had  arrived  at  maturity.  This  marriage, 
it  is  supposed  gave  dissatisfaction  to  the  children  of  his  first 
wife.  In  process  of  time  Peter  Hume  died,  and  his  landed 
estate,  it  seems,  fell  into  the  hands  of  his  first  wife's  children. 
How  long  after  his  death  the  stepmother  and  her  son  lived 
with  the  children  of  the  first  ^yife,  as  one  family,  is  not  known. 
A  separation,  however,  after  some  time  took  place.  The  chil- 
dren of  the  first  wife,  being  dissatisfied  with  their  father's  second 
marriage,  and  probably  regarding  the  stepmother  and  her  son 
as  beneath  them  in  point  of  respectability,  so  conducted  them- 
selves toward  their  half  brother  as  to  cause  him  to  v/ithdraw 
from  the  family.  It  may  be  that  they  drove  him  off.  What 
became  of  the  mother  is  not  known,  nor  is  it  known  how  old 
*her  son  Avas  at  the  time.  After  his  separation  from  the  family 
he  continued  to  reside  in  the  neighborhood ;  but  instead  of 
receiving  and  retaining  the  name  of  his  father,  he  was  called 
Mac-Feiers — that  is,  Peter's  son,  the  word  Mac,  in  the 
Highland  dialect,  signifying  son.  After  various  changes  in  the 
orthography,  the  name  at  length  came  to  be  written  as  at 
present.  From  this  son  of  Peter  Hume  has  descended,  accord- 
ing to  the  tradition,  the  McPheeters  family. 

My  paternal  great  grandfather  was  named  William.  But 
whether  he  was  the  son  or  the  grandson  of  the  so-called  Mac- 
Peters  I  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain.  My  great  grand- 
father, William  McPheeters,  had  several  brothers,  of  whom,  he 
was  the  youngest ;  and  when  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  dur- 
ing the  time  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  left  Scotland  and  passed 
over  into  Ireland.  It  may  be  that  he  and  some  of  his  brothers 
were  soldiers  in  Cromwell's  army.  My  great  grandfather  set- 
tled in  Ireland,  and  was  there  twice  married.  The  name  of 
his  first  wife  is  not  known,  and  all   his  children  by  her  are  said 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  .II 

to  have  died  when  young.  During  the  Hfetime  of  his  first 
wife  the  following  incident  is  recorded  of  him:  One  day, 
being  absent  from  home,  several  native  Irish  came  to  the 
house  and  demanded  of  his  wife  her  husband's  money,  which 
being  refused,  they  dragged  her  out  of  the  house  and  immersed 
her  in  a  spring  or  pool  ot  water,  threatening  to  drown  her  if 
she  did  not  give  up  the  money  or  inform  them  where  it  might 
be  found.  During  this  barbarous  treatment  she  got  her  thigh 
bone  dislocated.  But  her  husband,  providentially  returning 
home  at  the  time,  fell  upon  the  savages,  killed  one  or  two  of 
them,  put  the  rest  to  flight,  and  rescued  his  wife.  After  her 
death,  which  it  is  supposed  took  place  some  years  after,  he 
married  a  second  time,  when  considerably  advanced  in  years. 
He  is  said  to  have  lived  to  a  great  age.  His  second  wife's 
name  was  Janett  McClellen.  By  her  he  had  four  children, 
three  daughters  and  one  son.  The  son  was  the  youngest  child 
of  the  family,  and  was  named  WilHam,  after  his  father.  At  the 
time  of  his  father's  death  he  is  said  to  have  been  about  eight 
years  old.  This  WilHam  was  my  grandfather.  He  married  in 
Ireland,  and  after  marriage  lived  there  about  seven  years  pre- 
vious to  his  emigration  to  America,  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
His  first  wife  was  Rebecca  Thompson,  by  whom  he  had  ten 
children.  ]\Iy  grandfather,  after  living  several  years  in  Penn- 
sylvania, removed  to  Augusta  county,  Virginia.  Martha,  his 
second  daughter,  while  living  in  Pennsylvania,  married  Samuel 
Donney,  and  afterward  removed  with  her  husband  to  Augusta 
county,  Va.  She  was  the  mother  of  fourteen  children.  Re- 
becca Donney  married  a  Mr.  McCutchen,  of  Augusta  county, 
and  had  a  numerous  family.  Mary  Ann  married  Captain 
Charles  Campbell,  of  Rockbridge  county.  Besides  other  chil- 
dren, she  was  the  mother  of  Dr.  Campbell  of  Lexington ;  of 
John  W.  Campbell  of  Petersburg,  and  of  William  Campbell, 


12  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

who  married  my  youngest  sister.  Betsey  Donney,  the  sixth 
daughter,  married  Major  Wilson,  of  Rockbridge.  She  was  the 
mother  of  the  Rev.  James  C.  Wilson,  of  Waynesboro.  Mary, 
or  ]\Iolly  McPheeters,  the  third  daughter  of  my  grandfather, 
married  Alexander  Crawford,  and  was  the  mother  of  eleven 
children,  two  of  whom  were  Presbyterian  ministers.  The  Rev. 
EdNvard  Crawford  resided  near  Abingdon,  Va.  The  Rev. 
James  Crawford  removed  to  the  State  of  Kentucky,  and  was 
pastor  of  the  Walnut  Hill  Church,  near  Lexington.  Alexan- 
der Crawford  and  jMary  his  wife,  the  parents  of  this  family, 
were  both  killed  in  Augusta  county  by  a  party  of  Indians.  He 
was  shot  in  his  own  house,  and  the  house  was  burnt  down  over 
him.  She,  in  attempting  to  make  her  escape,  was  killed  with  a 
tomahawk  a  short  distance  from  the  house.  They  were  both 
buried  near  the  North  Mountain,  in  the  glebe  graveyard,  upper 
end  of  Augusta  county,  Virginia. 

William  McPheeters,  my  father,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania 
about  the  year  1729  or  1730.  He  married  Rachel  Moore,  of 
Rockbridge  county,  Va.  Both  were  members  of  the  Church. 
My  father  was  also  magistrate  and  a  Ruling  Elder.  The  Rev. 
A.  Scott  was  his  pastor.  The  family  consisted  of  ten  children, 
three  sons  and  seven  daughters.  My  father  died  October  28, 
1807,  and  was  buried  in  the  glebe  graveyard  before  mentioned. 
James,  his  fourth  child,  received  a  liberal  education ;  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  in  Staunton,  afterward  attended 
medical  lectures  of  Dr.  Rush  in  Philadelphia,  and  for  a  few 
years  practiced  medicine  in  the  town  of  Fincastle,  Va.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Church  and  esteemed 
exemplary  Christians.  Rebecca  McPheeters,  the  fifth  child  of 
my  father,  married  John  Gamble,  the  brother  of  Col.  Robert 
Gamble,  of  Richmond,  Va.  She  was  a  woman  of  decided 
piety. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  I3 

James  Moore,  my  maternal  grandtather,  was  born  in  Ireland, 
and  emigrated  with  his  brother  Joseph  to  America,  Pennsyl- 
vania, sometime  about  the  year  1726.  My  grandfather,  after 
his  arrival  in  America,  married  Jane  Walker.  She,  too,  was 
born  in  Ireland.  I  have  a  distinct  recollection  of  both  my 
maternal  grandparents,  James  Moore  and  Jane  Walker.  I 
recollect  that  my  grandfather  used  to  retire  regularly  to  a  room 
up  stairs,  w^here,  after  closing  the  door,  he  remained  for  some 
time.  Noticing  this,  when  a  small  boy,  and  wishing  to  find 
out  what  he  was  about,  I  discovered,  through  a  small  aperture 
under  the  door,  that  he  was  on  his  knees  engaged  at  secret 
prayer.  My  grandmother,  sometime  previous  to  her  death, 
remarked,  "when  I  die  I  shall  have  a  botuiy  easy  death."  Ac- 
cordingly, during  her  last  sickness,  while  some  of  the  family 
were  sitting  in  the  room  with  her,  she  either  turned  herself 
over  in  the  bed,  or  was  aided  in  so  doing  by  some  one  present. 
Thus  lying  still  for  some  time,  the  remark  was  made,  "  into 
what  a  fine  quiet  sleep  our  grandmother  has  fallen."  But  when, 
after  some  time,  her  bed  was  approached  and  her  situation 
examined  into,  it  w^as  found  that  her  spirit  had,  quietly  and 
without  a  struggle,  taken  its  flight  to  the  unknown  world. 
Mary  Moore,  the  second  child  of  my  grandfather,  was  twice 
married.  Her  first  husband  was  named  Paxton,  by  w^hom  she 
had  one  child,  named  Samuel.  Her  second  husband  was 
Major  A.  Stuart,  by  whom  she  had  four  children.  She  and 
her  husband  were  members  of  the  Church.  They  resided  near 
Brownsburg,  Rockbridge  county.  Major  Stuart  had  two  sons 
who  were  Superior  Court  Judges,  viz. :  His  son  Archibald,  by 
a  former  wife,  and  his  son  Alexander,  by  Mary  Moore,  his 
second  wife.  Elizabeth  Moore,  the  third  child  of  my  grand- 
father, married  Michael  Coalter.  They  were  both  members  of 
the  Church.      A  grand-daughter   of    Michael    and    Elizabeth 


14  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B,    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

Coalter  married  Hon.  Wm.  C.  Preston,  of  South  Carolina. 
Her  sister  married .  Judge  Harper,  of  the  same  State.  John 
Coalter,  son  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth,  was  Judge  of  the  Supe- 
rior Court  of  Virginia,  and  afterward  Judge  of  the  High  Court 
of  Appeals.  This  gentleman  was  four  times  married.  His 
third  wife  was  Frances  Tucker,  daughter  of  St.  George  Tucker, 
Judge  of  High  Court  of  Appeals,  Virginia.  The  eighth  child 
of  I\Iichael  and  Elizabeth  Coalter,  my  beloved  cousin  Mary, 
after  marriage,  removed  to  the  State  of  Missouri.  She  was  the 
first  wife  of  Beverly  Tucker,  youngest  son  of  St.  George 
Tucker,  and  half  brother  to  John  Randolph,  of  Roanoke. 

James  Moore,  the  sixth  child  of  my  grandfather,  married 
Martha  Poague  and  had  nine  children.  He  removed  some 
time  after  marriage  from  Rockbridge  county  to  a  remote  fertile 
valley  among  the  mountains  in  the  Southwestern  part  of  Vir- 
ginia. After  the  family  had  resided  for  some  time  in  their 
frontier  situation  they  were  broken  up  and  nearly  all  destroyed 
by  a  party  of  Indians.  James  Moore,  the  oldest  child  of  the 
family,  was  first  taken  prisoner  by  two  Indians.  He  had  been 
sent  to  a  field  some  distance  from  the  house  for  a  horse.  As 
he  went  along  he  was  seized  with  an  unaccountable  panic; 
the  impression  on  his  mind  was  that  he  would  be  torn  to  pieces 
by  a  wild  beast.  He  was  on  the  point  of  returning  to  the 
house,  but  fearing  lest  he  should  be  reproached  for  cowardice 
he  proceeded  onward  toward  the  field.  He  had  not  pro- 
ceeded far  before  two  Indians  stepped  out  from  behind  a  tree 
and  laid  hold  on  him.  On  looking  up  and  finding  himself  in 
the  hands  of  Jiiiman  beings  and  not  in  the  paws  of  savage  beasts, 
he,  for  the  moment,  was  somewhat  comforted.  The  Indians 
took  him  to  the  field  and  by  his  assistance  endeavored  to  catch 
one  or  more  of  the  horses ;  but  in  this  they  were  unsuccessful. 
The  horses  would  allow  the  boy  to  approach  them,  but  when 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D,  D.  1 5 

he  put  forth  his  hand  to  take  hold  of  a  horse  one  of  the  Indians 
would  immediately  take  hold  of  him.  By  this  the  horse  being 
affrighted,  instantly  made  his  escape.  After  repeated  and  un- 
successful efforts  to  get  possession  of  the  horses  the  Indians 
commenced  their  long  journey,  and  conducted  their  little  pris- 
oner through  a  mountainous  and  pathless  desert  far  North  to 
the  place  of  their  residence.  He  immediately  fell  into  the 
hands  of  a  French  family  residing  in  the  Indian  country.  In 
this  family  he  lived  for  several  years,  and,  if  I  am  not  mistaken, 
was  kindly  treated.  About  two  years  and  a  half  after  the  cap- 
ture of  James  INIoore,  the  two  Indians  who  took  him  prisoner 
formed,  as  it  is  supposed,  a  company  and  conducted  them  to 
the  house  of  his  unprotected  and  unsuspecting  father.  On  a 
certain  day,  early  in  the  morning,  the  Indians  were  seen  rushing 
down  an  adjacent  hill  in  a  furious  manner  and  approaching 
the  house.  James  Moore,  the  father  of  the  family,  not  being 
in  the  house  at  the  moment,  was  shot  and  killed  some  two  or 
three  hundred  yards  from  the  house.  The  three  following 
children,  Rebecca,  Alexander  and  William,  were  shot  down 
near  the  house.  The  house  was  then  plundered  and  burned 
down,  John,  Jane,  Mary  and  Margaret,  with  their  mother, 
were  taken  prisoners.  A  Miss  Evans,  who  was  at  the  time 
residing  in  the  family,  was  also  taken  prisoner.  John,  on  the 
first  day  of  the  march,  a  few  miles  from  the  house,  was,  on 
some  account,  killed  with  a  tomahawk,  After  traveling  some 
distance  farther  the  Indians  finding  Margaret  somewhat  trouble- 
some, she  being  only  about  fifteen  months  old,  killed  her  by 
dashing  her  against  a  tree.  After  a  tedious  and  tiresome  march 
of  about  forty  days,  the  Indians,  with  their  four  remaining  pris- 
oners, reached  their  towns,  somewhere  in  the  Northern  part  of 
Indiana  or  Ohio,  or  perhaps  in  Michigan,  near  Detroit.  After 
their  arrival  Jane  and  her  mother  were  given  up  to  a  disaffected 


1 6  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D 

Indian  and  cruelly  put  to  death.  This,  it  is  supposed,  was 
done  by  the  Indian  in  the  way  of  revenge  for  some  injury 
received  by  him  from  the  white  people.  Joseph,  one  of  the 
children  of  this  family,  was  in  Rockbridge,  going  to  school,  at 
the  time  v/hen  his  brothers  and  sisters  were  murdered  by  the 
Indians,  and,  of  course,  did  not  fall  into  their  hands.  As  to 
James  Moore  and  his  sister  I\Iary  and  Miss  Evans,  they  were 
providentially  located,  it  seems,  at  no  great  distance  from  each 
other  among  the  Indians.  The  brother  of  Miss  Evans,  some 
years  after,  with  the  view  and  hope  of  recovering  his  sister,  went 
in  search  of  her,  and  on  finding  her  he  succeeded,  by  purchase 
or  otherwise,  in  obtaining  not  only  her  liberty,  but  also  the  lib- 
erty of  James  Moore  and  Mary  ?yIoore  his  sister.  After  a  long 
and  fatiguing  journey  j\Ir.  Evans,  with  his  rescued  captives,, 
arrived  at  my  father's  house  sometime  about  the  year  1790. 
My  aged  grandfather  and  grandmother,  being  at  the  house  at 
the  time,  were  overjoyed  and  almost  overcome  at  the  unex- 
pected return  of  their  long  lost  grandchildren.  Being  a  smalt 
boy  at  the  time,  and  at  school  that  day,  on  reaching  home  I 
found  the  family,  as  I  distinctly  recollect,  in  a  state  of  great 
excitement.  The  dead  was  alive — the  lost  was  found.  In 
process  of  time  !^Iary  Moore,  the  Indian  captive,  married  the 
Rev.  Samuel  Brown,  a  distinguished  Presbyterian  minister,  the 
pastor  of  New  Providence  Church,  Rockbridge  county.  She 
was  the  mother  of  a  numerous  family ;  and  being  a  woman  of 
importunate  prayer  and  devoted  piety,  it  pleased  God  to  give 
her  five  sons,  who,  after  receiving  a  liberal  education,  became 
preachers  of  the  Gospel.  One  of  her  daughters  married  the 
Rev.  James  Morrison,  who  succeeded  his  father-in-law  as  pas- 
tor of  New  Providence. 

From  a  credible  source  I  have  derived  the  following  infor- 
mation as  to  the  ancestors  of  my  maternal  grandmother,  whose 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  1 7 

maiden  name  was  Jane  Walker.  John  Rutherford,  of  Scot- 
land, married  a  wife  who  was  of  the  family  of  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Alliene,  author  of  the  "Alarm."  Her  maiden  name  is 
not  known.  Said  John  Rutherford  had  a  daughter  whose 
name  was  Catherine  Rutherford ;  she  married  a  man  named 
Walker.  His  Christian  name  is  not  known.  This  Walker  had 
by  his  wife,  Catharine  Rutherford,  a  son  whose  name  was  John 
Walker.  John  Walker  was  born  in  Wigtown,  Scotland,  and 
was  the  father  of  my  grandmother,  Jane  Walker,  and,  of  course, 
the  grandfather  of  my  mother,  Rachel  Moore.  Thus  it  appears 
that  the  genealogical  line  traced  from  my  mother  up  to  John 
Rutherford,  of  Scotland,  stands  as  follows : 

1.  My    Mother Rachel  Moore. 

—  Her  Father James  Moore. 

2.  Her  Mother Jane  Walker. 

—  Her  Grandfather John  Walker. 

3.  Her  Grandmother Name  not  known. 

—  Her  Great  Grandfather Walker. 

4.  Her  Great  Grandmother Catharine  Rutherford. 

—  Her  Great  Great  Grandfather John   Rutherford. 

5.  Her  G.  G.  Grandmother,  of  the  family  of Jos.  Alliene. 

This  John  Rutherford,  the  great  great  grandfather  ot  my 
mother,  was  either  the  nephew  or  the  full  cousin  of  that  dis- 
tinguished divine  and  author,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Rutherford,  of 
Scotland.  My  mother's  grandfather,  John  Walker,  of  Wig- 
town, Scotland,  had  seven  children.  My  grandmother,  Jane 
Walker,  was  bom  in  Ireland.  Her  father,  John  Walker,  of 
Wigtown,  Scotland,  before  marriage,  settled  in  Ireland.  He 
there  married.  From  Ireland,  with  his  whole  family,  includ- 
ing my  grandmother,  he  emigrated  to  the  state  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  my  grandfather  and  grandmother  were  married. 
Some  years  after  their  marriage,  and  after  the  birth  ot  three  or 
four  of  their  children,  they,  with  the  whole  Walker  family,  or 
2 


l8  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

the  great  part  of.  them,  removed  to  Rockbridge,  Va.,  and 
setded  on  a  creek  in  that  part  of  the  country  called  "Bur 
den's  Land,"  and  afterward  "Walker's  Creek,"  from  the  several 
families  of  that  name  which  had  settled  there.  These  families, 
being  somewhat  numerous  and  all  closely  allied,  were  some- 
times pleasantly  called  "the  Creek  Nation." 

Rachel  McPheeters,  my  mother,  was  born  in  the  year  1736, 
in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  Chester  county,  Nottingham 
Township.  When  about  three  years  old  she  removed  with  her 
father,  James  Moore,  and  his  family  from  Pennsylvania  to  the 
state  of  Virginia,  Rockbridge  county.  She  and  her  sister 
Mar)',  who  was  a  litde  older  than  herself,  were  carried  on  a 
horse  in  large  baskets  swung  across  the  horse's  back.  In 
this  situation,  balancing  each  other  and  with  their  heads  pro- 
jecting from  the  baskets,  they  traveled  along  in  comfort.  My 
mother,  when  very  young,  was  in  some  degree  impressed  on 
the  subject  of  religion.  One  day  when  set  to  watch  by  her- 
self in  the  cornfield,  her  mind  was  raised  above  the  world  with 
delightful  devotional  feelings.  From  her  early  youth  she  was 
stricdy  attentive  to  the  duty  of  secret  prayer,  but  did  not 
recollect  much  as  to  the  nature  of  her  prayers.  When  she 
was  somewhat  older,  say  between  twelve  and  fifteen  years  of 
age,  although  gay  and  lively  in  her  disposition,  she  could  not 
bear  to  listen  to  trifling  or  useless  conversation,  but  always 
wished  for  something  interesting  and  improving  in  the  circle 
in  which  at  any  time  she  was  placed.  Having  frequent  occa- 
sion about  this  period  of  her  life  to  pass  to  and  from  a 
neighbor's  house,  she  was  often  constrained  to  turn  aside  for 
secret  prayer,  in  which  she  usually  experienced  much  enjoy- 
ment. And  at  home,  during  family  prayer,  she  was  frequently 
melted  into  tenderness  and  shed  many  tears.  To  the  public 
means  of  grace  she   was  always  particularl}'-   attentive,    and 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  I9 

took  SO  deep  an  interest  therein  that  she  would  sometimes 
walk  on  foot  four  or  five  miles  to  church — Xew  Providence. 
After  her  marriage,  which  took  place  when  she  was  between 
nineteen  and  twenty  years  of  age,  she  removed  from  Rock- 
bridge to  Augusta  county,  and  there,  after  sometime,  joined 
the  Church,  then  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Charles 
Cummings.  The  place  of  worship  was  called  Brown's  meet- 
ing house.  It  is  now  called  Hebron  church.  The  Rev.  A. 
Scott  was  the  successor  of  Mr.  Cummings.  Under  his  pas- 
toral care  she  continued  a  member  of  the  Church  for  many 
years.  But  nothing  remarkable  occurred  in  her  religious  ex- 
perience for  eight  or  ten  years  after  her  marriage,  with  the 
exception  of  what  took  place  when  her  daughter  Jane  was  an 
infant.  When  Jane  was  an  infant,  her  mother,  sitting  one 
day  in  the  room  by  herself  with  her  babe  at  her  breast,  was 
favored  in  a  remarkable  degree  with  the  presence  of  God's 
Holy  Spirit,  filling  her  with  joy  and  divine  consolation.  She 
was  melted  down  in  tenderness,  and  a  profusion  of  tears 
flowed  from  her  eyes.  She  arose  from  her  seat  and  standing 
on  the  floor  enjoyed  a  soul-refreshing  and  almost  overwhelm- 
ing view  of  the  glory  of  God.  In  this  situation  God's  ques- 
tion to  her  seemed  to  be  this :  "  Could  you  withhold  from  me 
anything  that  I  should  ask  ? "  "  Nothing,  nothing.  Lord," 
was  the  reply.  A  further  inquiry  then  seemed  to  be  made : 
''  Could  you  withhold  from  me  the  infant  now  reclining  on 
your  breast  ?  "  Her  answer  was  again,  "  No,  no.  Lord;"  and 
she  thought  that  in  the  ecstacy  of  her  feelings  she  held  out 
the  child  as  if  to  give  it  away  to  the  Lord  forever.  My  sister 
Jane  is  represented  as  growing  up  to  maturity,  a  girl  of 
great  promise.  At  an  early  age,  however,  her  mind  became 
deeply  impressed  with  the  idea  that  her  continuance  in  this 
w^orld  was  to  be  of  short  duration.     That  such  was  her  pre- 


20  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

vailing  belief  is  evident  from  remarks  which  she  occasionally 
made  respecting  herself.  One  day  riding  in  company  with  a 
Mr.  Craig,  he  took  the  opportunity  of  recommending  to  her 
good  opinion  a  gentleman  of  his  acquaintance.  She  remarked 
as  follows  :  "  You  need  say  nothing  to  me  respecting  him  or 
any  one  else.  I  hope  before  long  to  be  happier  than  any 
one  on  earth  can  make  me."  "  Why  do  you  think  so  ?  "  said 
Mr.  Craig.  "  Oh,"  replied  she,  "  the  Lord  has  done  great 
things  for  me."  Not  long  before  her  death,  and  at  the  time 
in  her  usual  health,  she  sent  a  message  to  her  cousin,  James 
Moore,  to  this  effect:  "Tell  Cousin  James  he  must  come  and 
see  me  soon  or  it  may  be  that  he  will  never  see  me."  The 
week  previous  to  her  last  fatal  attack  of  sickness  she  visited 
the  house  of  her  uncle,  Michael  Coalter,  a  short  distance 
from  her  father's  house,  w^here  she  spent  three  or  four  days. 
When  about  to  return  home  on  Saturday  some  one  of  the 
family  inquired  of  her  as  follows :  "Jane,  when  will  you  come 
over  again  ?"  She  replied,  ^^Perhaps  neve?'.''  It  seems  that  a 
dream  which  she  had  about  this  time  made  a  deep  impression 
on  her  mind,  and  confirmed  her  in  the  belief  that  she  was  not 
to  live  long.  The  substance  of  her  dream  was  as  follows  :  On 
marrying  a  man  di'essed  in  black  she  accompanied  him  for  a  con- 
siderable distance  along  a  narrow  path  through  a  lonesome  wood. 
She  wondered  Avhither  he  was  about  to  conduct  her  and  where 
she  should  find  his  house.  At  length  she  came  to  his  house, 
and  it  was  under  ground.  When  taken  sick  she  told  an  ac- 
quaintance that  her  disease  would  prove  fatal.  "  From  it," 
said  she,  "I  shall  never  recover."  On  Sabbath  public  prayer 
was  offered  in  the  church  in  her  behalf,  by  Rev.  A.  Scott,  the 
pastor.  After  service  he  visited  her.  Her  mother  approached 
her  bed  and  said :  "Jane,  are  you  sensible  that  you  are  going 
to  leave  us  ?"     She  replied,  with  much  composure,  "Yes,   I 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  21 

am."  "Well,  what  hope  have  you  concerning  yourself?"  "1 
hope  the  Lord  will  have  mercy  on,  me,  for  Chris fs  sake" 
"Yes,"  replied  her  mother,  "not  for  anything  in  you  or  done  by 
you."  "No,  no,  no,"  was  her  rejoinder.  "But  what  ground 
have  you  for  your  hopes?"  said  her  mother.  "I  know  that 
God  is  merciful  and  gracious,"  said  she.  "But  do  you  know 
this  in  your  own  experience  ?"  inquired  the  mother.  Jane  re- 
plied, "Yes,  I  do,  and  wish  to  know  it  more  and  more."  Her 
mother  exhorted  her  to  put  all  her  trust  in  Christ  as  an  all 
sufficient  Savior.  Finally,  she  lifted  up  her  hands  and  said, 
"Lord  have  mercy  on  me."  She  breathed  her  last  without  a 
struggle  or  a  groan. 

To  return  to  my  mother.  On  a  certain  communion  Sab- 
bath, when  she  was  about  thirty  years  of  age,  her  feelings  and 
exercises  were  during  the  day  unusually  comfortable.  Some 
pious  friends  from  Walker's  Creek  accompanied  her  home  that 
night.  Their  conversation  till  bed  time  was  on  the  subject  of 
religion.  After  retiring  to  bed,  my  mother  had  such  astonish- 
ing and  overwhelming  views  of  the  beauty  and  glory  of  the 
heavenly  inheritance  as  to  deprive  her  of  nearly  all  her  bodily 
strength.  These  rapturous  views  continued  to  recur,  at  short 
intervals,  during  the  whole  night,  and  sleep  was  entirely  taken 
away  from  her.  About  daybreak  her  views  were  still  more 
rapturous  and  overwhelming  than  ever  before.  After  that  the 
influences  under  which  she  had  spent  the  night  were  gradually 
withdrawn.  During  the  next  day  she  experienced  great  com- 
posure of  mind,  and  felt  no  inconvenience  from  the  want  of 
sleep.  But  why  God  had  visited  and  favored  her  in  so  re- 
markable a  manner  she  could  not  understand,  nor  was  she  in- 
clined to  build  her  religious  hopes  on  the  rapturous  vision 
which  she  had  enjoyed.  After  this  her  exercises  were  various. 
Sometimes  she  was  happy  in  the  enjoyment  of  religion,  some- 


22  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

times  destitute  of  feeling,  and  sometimes  backward  to  receive, 
as  coming  from  God,  the  comforts  bestowed  on  her.  As  it 
was  customary  in  the  country  congregations  where  she  wor- 
shiped to  have  two  sermons  in  the  summer  months,  it  was  her 
usual  practice,  in  the  interval  of  worship,  to  retire  for  medita- 
tion and  prayer.  And  often  on  these  occasions  had  she  reason 
to  bless  God  for  the  tokens  of  his  gracious  presence.  David 
McPheeters,  the  second  child  of  the  family,  died  from  home — 
a  young  man,  in  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  Being  a 
son  greatly  beloved,  the  unexpected  stroke  was  to  his  mother 
a  severe  trial.  And  though  she  did  not  sorrow  as  having  no 
hope,  yet  his  death  was  to  her  a  subject  of  the  deepest  solici- 
tude. Some  short  time  after  his  death,  on  a  certain  Sabbath, 
while  she  was  reclining  on  her  bed,  it  pleased  God  to  give  her 
<r/<?^;'and  satisfactory  evidence  of  her  acceptance  in  the  Beloved. 
All  her  doubts  were  removed,  and  with  Thom.as  she  could  say, 
"  My  Lord  and  my  God."  She  felt  in  her  own  dehghtful  ex- 
perience that  God's  favor  was  /i/e,  and  his  loving  kindness 
better  than  life.  Being  thus  near  to  God,  and  enjoying  in  so 
great  a  degree  the  gracious  smiles  of  his  reconciled  counte- 
nance, the  thought  occurred  to  her  that  she  might  7io7c>  inquire 
respecting  her  son,  and  ask  of  God  some  evidence  of  his  hap- 
piness in  the  world  of  spirits.  But  soon  did  she  check  the  pre- 
sumptuous inquiry,  and  felt  reproved  for  attempting  to  pry  into 
the  unrevealed  secrets  of  God's  righteous  government.  "  With 
this  great  truth  I  must  be  satisfied.  The  Judge  of  all  the  earth 
will  do  right." 

"  Then  let  my  Sovereign,  if  he  please, 

Lock  up  his  marvelous  decrees  ; 

Why  should  I  wish  Him  to  reveal 
■     What  He  thinks  proper  to  conceal  ?" 

Several  years  afterward,  on  a  certain  occasion,  she  had  clear 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D,  D.  23 

and  exalted  views  of  die  excellence  of  die  inheritance  of  the 
saints  in  light,  but  could  not  at  the  time  appropriate  to  herself 
any  part  of  that  inheritance.  It  was  to  her  as  if  she  had  got 
on  Pisgah's  Mount,  beholding  the  promised  land  in  all  its 
beauty  and  excellency,  witnessing  the  happiness  of  its  inhabit- 
ants— their  far  more  exceeeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory;  but 
alas !  for  her,  she  had  no  part  or  lot  among  them.  This,  of 
course,  produced  great  heaviness  and  depression  of  spirits.  In 
her  distress  she  determined  to  visit  her  pastor.  Rev.  A.  Scott, 
living  some  four  or  five  miles  distant.  Accordingly  she  set  out, 
and  on  her  w^ay  the  following  lines,  found  in  one  of  President 
Davies'  poems,  came  into  her  mind  with  great  force  : 

"  If  I  am  doomed  Thy  frowns  to  feel, 
Why  didst  thou  in  Thy  love  reveal  ? 
Why  did  thy  beauties  charm  mine  eye, 
If  I  must  see  and  ne'er  enjoy  ? 
Or,  v^'hy  torment  me  with  the  views 
Of  bliss  I  must  forever  lose?" 

These  words  produced  a  wonderful  change  in  her  feelings. 
She  felt  assured  that  God  would  never  cast  off  those  to  whom 
he  had  unveiled  the  glories  of  his  kingdom,  and  to  wdiom  he 
had  given  a  relish  for  the  enjoyments  and  employments  of 
heaven.     Then  she  was  enabled  to 

"  read  her  title  clear 

To  mansions  in  the  skies." 

"When  she  reached  the  house  of  her  pastor  he  was  not  at 
home.  But  God  had  met  her  on  the  way,  and  that  was 
enough.  "  And  there  met  him  ten  men  that  were  lepers,  who 
stood  afar  off;  and  they  lifted  up  their  voices  and  said:  Jesus, 
Master,  have  mercy  on  us.  And  when  he  saw  them  he  said 
unto  them,  Go  show  yourselves  unto  the  priests.  And  it  came 
to  pass  that  as  they  went  they  were  cleansed^     She  returned 


24  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

home  greatly  relieved — found  that  she  had  done  wrong  in  not 
receiving  and  appropriating  to  herself  the  comforts  which 
God  had  sent,  and  continued  for  a  considerable  time  in  the 
enjoyment  of  a  good  hope,  through  grace,  that  God  had 
mercifully  granted  her  an  interest  in  the  incorruptible  inherit- 
ance of  the  saints  in  light.  Some  time  after  this,  having  again 
fallen  into  a  state  of  darkness  and  deep  distress  under  the 
hidings  of  God's  face,  she  visited  New  Providence  Church  on 
a  sacramental  occasion,  when  the  late  Dr.  Waddell,  then  a 
young  man,  was  in  attendance.  With  him  she  sought  and 
obtained  an  interview.  After  he  had  talked  with  her  long  and 
to  good  purpose,  she  turned  around  from  him  on  her  scat  and, 
absorbed  in  thought,  said  to  herself,  audibly,  •'  Well,  I  am  will- 
ing to  do  and  to  suffer  anything,  so  that  I  may  enjoy  nearness 
to  God."  It  was  not  long  before  she  obtained  the  desired  re- 
lief, and  was  enabled  to  rejoice  in  the  God  of  her  salvation. 
As  she  advanced  in  years  she  had  her  trials  and  difficulties ; 
but  it  pleased  God  not  unfrequently  to  grant  unto  \\tx  full  as- 
surance of  her  gracious  state,  and  at  times  her  happiness  in 
the  enjoyment  of  religion  was  as  much  as  the  house  of  clay 
could  well  endure.  She  died  January  30,  1826,  aged  ninety 
years.  Her  son-in  law,  J.  Logan,  with  whom  she  lived,  in- 
formed me  that  her  passage  to  the  world  of  spirits  was  easy 
and  tranquil,  that  she  retained  her  senses  to  the  last,  and  that 
after  a  quiet  repose  of  nearly  two  days  and  two  nights,  during 
much  of  which  time  she  appeared  to  be  in  a  profoiuid  sleep,  she 
left  the  world  without  a  groan  or  a  struggle.  She  was  buried 
beside  the  grave  ot  her  husband,  in  the  glebe  graveyard, 
Augusta  county,  Virginia. 

On  March  12,  1842,  Rev.  Francis  McFarland,  D.  D.,  wrote 
to  me  :  "I  hear  from  Mr.  Logan  that  you  wish  from  me  the 
substance  of  a   conversation    which   I   had  with  your  pious 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  25 

mother.  As  I  took  notes  of  it  at  the  time,  you  may  depend 
on  its  accuracy.  It  is  as  follows  :  She  took  great  delight  in 
attending  at  the  house  of  God,  and  especially  on  communion 
Sabbaths.  But  as  she  advanced  in  years  she  was  not  always 
able  to  be  present  on  those  occasions.  On  a  certain  Sabbath, 
when  we  were  celebrating  the  Lord's  Supper,  she  being  too 
infirm  to  be  present  (about  the  time,  as  I  suppose,  when  we  were 
at  the  table),  she  told  me  a  few  days  after  that  in  musing  she 
thought  herself  at  the  Lord's  table,  and  seated  at  the  end  of  it 
next  to  me ;  that  she  plainly  saw  the  bread  and  wine,  and  that 
as  I  handed  the  bread  to  her  and  pronounced  the  words, 
^  Broken  for  you  !'  that  those  words  came  with  such  power  to 
her  mind  as  almost  to  overwhelm  her,  and  that  the  delightful 
state  of  mind  which  followed  continued  the  whole  day.  I  re- 
marked to  her  that  I  supposed  she  enjoyed  the  occasion  as 
much  as  she  sometimes  did  when  she  was  actually  at  the 
table.  '  O,  yes,  I  have  been  twenty  times  at  the  table,'  said  she, 
'  when  my  enjoyment  has  not  been  so  great.'  I  then  said, 
*  Now,  when  you  are  deprived  of  the  opportunity  of  attending 
on  this  ordinance,  the  Lord  is  giving  you  the  enjoymejit  with- 
out it.'  At  this  her  heart  was  filled  and  her  utterance  was 
choked.  On  another  occasion,  July  19,  1825,  she  told  me 
that  recently,  just  before  a  severe  turn  of  illness,  she  had  had  a 
sense  of  such  nearness  to  God  as  she  had  scarcely  ever  experi- 
enced before,  or  as  she  thought  was  possible  in  the  flesh.  In- 
deed, she  thought  her  frail  body  could  not  have  borne  much 
more.  She  said,  moreover,  that  she  had  found  it  a  pretty 
common  case,  shortly  before  a  severe  spell  of  sickness,  to  have 
such  manifestations.  At  another  time  she  told  me,  that  as  to 
the  matter  of  dying  she  had  no  fear  about  it.  And  that  if  she 
should  be  called  off  suddenly,  she  wished  me  to  preach  her 
funeral  sermon  from  Amos  iv.  1 2  :  '  Prepare  to  meet  thy  God, 


26  MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

0  Israel.'  And  from  that  text  I  did  preach  her  funeral.  Her 
piety  was  of  the  veiy  highest  orderT 

Dr.  Wm.  McPheeters,  the  father  of  Samuel,  says  of  hmiself: 
"  According  to  the  best  information  which  I  have  been  able  to 
obtain,  I  date  my  birth  September  28,  1788.  I  was  born  in 
Augusta  county,  Virginia,  near  the  North  Mountain,  about 
seven  miles  Southwest  of  Staunton,  on  the  head  waters  of  the 
Middle  River,  a  branch  of  the  Shenandoah,  which  river  is  a 
branch  of  the  Potomac. 

"  At  different  country  schools,  in  the  counties  of  Augusta  and 
Rockbridge,  I  was  taught  the  elements  of  a  common  English 
education.  In  Staunton,  the  county  town  of  Augusta,  I  began 
my  classical  course,  and  finished  my  education  at  Liberty  Hall 
Academy,  now  Washington  College,  Lexington,  Virginia. 
The  Academy  at  that  time  was  under  the  superintendence  of 
the  Rev.  William  Graham,  a  distinguished  Presbyterian  cler- 
gyman. 

"  In  the  year  1797  I  traveled  in  company  with  Dr.  Humphreys 
to  the  State  of  Kentucky,  where,  in  the  month,  of  October  of 
the  same  year,  I  began  to  read  medicine  with  my  brother,  Dr. 
James  McPheeters,  in  the  town  of  Cynthiana,  Harrison  county. 

1  continued  my  studies  with  him  until  the  summer  of  1799, 
when  I  returned  home  in  company  with  my  brother-in-law, 
John  Logan.  Before  I  left  Kentucky  I  joined  the  Church, 
under  the  pastoral  care  of  Wm.  Robison,  near  Cynthiana.  In 
the  month  of  September  or  October,  1799,  I  was  received 
under  the  care  of  Lexington  Presbytery  as  a  candidate  for  the 
Gospel  ministry.  My  theological  studies  were  pursued  under 
the  direction  chiefly  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Brown^  New  Provi- 
dence, Rockbridge  county.  I  was  licensed  at  New  Providence 
Church,  April  19,  1802.  The  Rev.  Benjamin  Erwin,  on  behalf 
of  the  Presbytery,  officiated  on  the  occasion.     In  the  month 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  27 

of  October,  1802,  I  visited  the  State  of  Kentucky,  and  itin- 
erated and  preached  there  in  various  places  until  about  the 
middle  of  March,  1803.  I  then  passed  over  into  the  State  of 
Ohio,  preached  in  Chillicothe  and  other  places,  and  returned 
again  to  Kentucky  in  the  month  of  April,  same  year.  About 
the  last  of  June,  1803,  I  took  charge  of  the  Church  in  the  town 
of  Danville,  Mercer  county,  Kentucky ;  and  there  also  taught 
a  small  school.  I  boarded  a  mile  or  two  from  the  town,  at  the 
house  of  Col.  W.  McDowell,  and  continued  there  until  June, 
1804.  I  then  returned  to  Cynthiana,  and  afterward  made  a 
second  visit  to  Chillicothe,  at  that  time  the  seat  of  government 
of  Ohio.  I  returned  to  Kentucky,  and  on  the  25th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1804,  I  married  my  first  wife,  Elizabeth  McDowell, 
near  Lexington,  Kentucky.  About  the  last  of  October,  same 
year,  I  left  Kentucky  and  returned  with  my  wife  to  Virginia. 
During  the  winter  I  visited  the  counties  of  Greenbriar  and 
Monroe,  and  preached  in  vacant  congregations.  On  my  return 
to  Augusta  I  made  my  father's  house  my  home  until  Septem- 
ber, 1805.  During  six  months  of  the  time  I  preached  to  two 
vacant  congregations  west  of  the  mountains.  New  Lebanon 
Church,  Calf  Pasture,  Augusta  county,  and  Windy  Cove  Church, 
Bath  county.  On  the  first  of  September,  1805,  I  returned  to 
Kentucky  with  my  wife,  on  a  visit  to  her  father.  I  remained  in 
Kentucky  until  the  second  week  of  November,  when,  with  my 
wife,  I  returned  to  Virginia  and  took  charge  of  Bethel  Church, 
December,  1805.  About  a  month  afterward  I  removed  from 
my  father's  house  to  Greenville,  a  small  village  a  few  miles 
from  the  Church,  and  there,  besides  preaching  to  the  congre- 
gation, I  taught  a  classical  school.  On  Friday,  April  19,  1806, 
I  received  a  call  from  Bethel  Church,  and  the  Monday  follow- 
ing, April  21,  1806,  I  was  ordained  to  the  whole  work  of  the 
Gospel  ministry.     Dr.  Baxter  preached  the  ordination  sermon, 


•28  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

and  the  Rev.  Samuel  Brown  presided  and  gave  the  charge. 
It  was,  as  well  as  I  now  recollect,  in  the  month  of  December, 
1806,  that  my  wife,  Elizabeth  McDowell,  after  a  lingering 
:sickness,  died  in  the  town  of  Greenville.  She  was  buried  at 
Bethel  Church.  During  the  next  year  I  removed  from  Green- 
ville to  my  farm  a  short  distance  from  the  town.  More  than 
two  years  after  the  death  of  Elizabeth  McDowell  I  married  a 
second  wife,  Lavinia  Moore,  March  18,  1809.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Alexander  and  Elizabeth  Moore.  I  married  her 
in  the  State  of  Tennessee,  Blount  county,  to  which  place  her 
mother,  then  a  widow,  had  removed  from  Lexington,  Virginia. 
On  the  30th  of  December  following,  my  wife,  Lavinia,  gave 
birth  to  a  daughter,  and  died  Monday,  January  15, 1810.  She 
was  buried  at  Bethel  Church,  beside  the  grave  of  my  first  wife. 
About  this  time  I  received,  by  a  special  messenger,  an  invita- 
tion from  the  Trustees  of  the  Academy,  Raleigh,  North  Caro- 
lina, to  preside  over  that  Institution  as  its  principal  teacher, 
and  to  preach  to  the  town  congregation,  then  vacant  in  conse- 
quence of  the  removal  of  the  Rev.  Wm.  Turner  to  the  town  of 
Fayetteville.  On  Wednesday,  February  21,  181  o,  I  set  out 
on  a  visit  to  Raleigh.  Having  reached  the  place,  and  being 
pleased  with  the  prospect,  I  accepted  the  invitation  which  I 
had  received.  I  then  returned  to  Augusta,  Virginia,  and  made 
preparations  for  my  removal  to  North  Carolina.  Having 
arranged  my  affairs,  I  left  Augusta  and  reajched  Raleigh,  May 
22,  1810,  and  in  the  month  of  June  took  charge  of  the  Acad- 
emy and  congregation.  On  the  loth  day  of  March,  181 2,  I 
married  my  third  wife,  Margaret  Ann  Curry  McDaniel,  of 
Washington,  Beaufort  county.  North  Carolina.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  William  and  Parthenia  McDaniel.  Her  father 
was  bom  in  Scotland,  and  emigrated  to  America  when  quite 
young.     His  occupation  was  merchandizing.     My  third  wife 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  29. 

was  the  mother  of  twelve  children  (of  whom  Samuel  Brown 
was  the  fifth).  I  continued  my  connection  with  the  Acad- 
emy until  I  handed  in  my  resignation,  in  the  year  1826.  My 
connection,  however,  with  my  congregation  was  continued  for 
several  years  after.  But,  as  I  continued  to  reside  in  Raleigh,  I 
was  invited  February,  1836,  to  resume  my  ministerial  services 
in  the  Church.  This  invitation  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  decline. 
The  same  year,  1836,  I  was  invited  to  Fayetteville  to  take 
charge  of  a  Female  School  in  that  place.  I  accepted  the  invi- 
tation, and,  without  removmg  my  family,  commenced  operations 
there  in  the  month  of  October;  but  finding  that  I  was  not 
likely  to  enjoy  my  health  in  Fayetteville,  I  left  the  place  in  the 
month  of  July  following.  In  the  autumn  of  same  year  I  took 
a  Missionary  agency  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
continued  in  that  service  until  the  spring  of  1839.  Some 
time  in  the  year  1840  I  was  elected  to  the  Presidency  of 
Davidson  College,  North  Carolina,  but  owing  to  ill  health  I 
was  obliged  to  decline  the  invitation." 


30  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 


CHAPTER    IL 


EARLY     DAYS. 


Samuel  Browx,  so  called  after  the  Rev.  Samuel  Brown, 
of  New  Providence,  Virginia,  the  fifth  child  of  Rev. 
William  McPheeters,  D.  D.,  and  his  wife,  Margaret  Ann 
Curry,  was  born  in  Raleigh,  North  Carolina,  on  September 
1 8,  1 819.  He  was  baptized  in  the  same  city,  March  5,  1820, 
by  Rev.  Shepherd  K.  Kollock. 

It  will  be  noted  that  this  child  is  the  descendant  of  a  long 
line  of  God-fearing  ancestors.  While  to  many,  who  boast  of 
royal  blood  and  trace  their  lineage  back  to  kings,  this  may  be 
a  matter  of  trifling  import,  yet  in  the  eye  of  the  Almighty  it 
is  a  heritage  of  inestimable  value.  For  has  it  not  been  true 
from  the  beginning  that  the  "  secret  of  the  Lord  is  with  the 
righteous,  and  He  blesseth  the  habitation  of  the  just  ?"  The 
assertion,  whenever  made,  that  the  children  of  the  pious  are 
more  obdurate  and  incorrigible  than  others,  is  simply  absurd. 
The  thoughtful  need  only  look  at  the  facts.  How  would  Zion 
mourn  to-day  did  not  God  "  bring  the  sons  of  Levi  to  minister 
at  His  altars  ?"  At  this  hour  what  names  in  the  ministry  are 
best  known  to  "  all  the  congregations  of  Israel  ?"  Are  they 
not  Waddell,  Hoge,  Alexander,  Rice,  Miller,  Brown,  Lacy, 
Smith,  Wilson,  and  others,  constituting  a  list  too  long  to  be 
mentioned  ?  The  pastors  and  preachers  who  bear  these 
names  to-day  are  the  descendants  of  faithful  men,  who,  in 
generations  gone  by,  testified,  from  the  sacred  desk,  to  the 
glorious  grace  of  God. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  3I 

It  is  a  fact  to  be  deeply  pondered,  that  the  covenant  of 
God,  for  the  most  part,  abides  in  the  family.  And  hence,  in 
old  established  communities,  even  after  a  long  succession  of 
years,  the  same  familiar  names  among  the  worshipers  can 
easily  be  detected.  The  promise  is  to  the  faithful  and  his 
seed.  Therefore,  viewed  in  the  light  of  eternal  relations,  to 
be  the  son  or  daughter  of  believing  parents  is  a  heritage  more 
truly  illustrous  and  noble  than  to  be  the  scion  of  a  house 
whose  progenitor  was  a  king.  When  the  apostle  calls  to 
remembrance  the  unfeigned  faith  of  Timothy,  it  is  connected 
in  his  mind  with  "  the  gift  of  God,"  which  dwelt  first  in  his 
grandmother  Lois,  and  afterward  in  Eunice,  his  mother. 

The  child  grew,  but  during  the  early  days  of  McPheeters 
no  startling  "  prophecies  "  of  future  eminence  can  anywhere  be 
found.  And  does  it  not,  after  all,  excite  a  smile  upon  the  face 
of  the  initiated  when  biographers,  in  solemn  gravity,  enter- 
tain the  public  with  certain  marvels  of  genius  in  the  boyhood 
of  great  men.  To  awaken  wonder  and  surprise,  one  incident 
after  another  is  related,  that  a  minute  observer  of  young  peo- 
ple is  fully  aware  happens  over  and  over  again  with  "the 
bairns"  of  the  commonest  "  cotter  "  in  the  land.  The  writer 
has  lived  much  with  children,  and,  speaking  from  careful 
observation,  it  is  his  decided  conviction  that  the  history  of 
any  one  child  of  healthful,  moral,  physical  and  intellectual 
organization  may  be  confidently  accepted,  with  scarcely  an 
exception,  as  representative  of  all  others.  In  riper  days  al- 
most every  heart  can  exclaim, 

"There  was  a  time  -when  meadow,  grove  and  stream 
The  earth,  and  every  common  sight, 

To  me  did  seem 
Appareled  in  celestial  light — 
The  glory  and  freshness  of  a  dream." 


32  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

There  is  not  a  parent  in  the  world  who  is  not  belabored  by 
the  little  boy  or  girl  standing  at  the  knee  with  questions  far 
too  deep  for  proud  philosophy.  And  what  fond  mother  does 
not  pour  into  friendly  ears  accounts  of  astonishing  discrimina- 
tion in  the  mind  of  her  remarkable  child  ?  And,  even  if  in 
reality  there  are  signs  of  precocity,  this  does  not  logically  and 
necessarily  foreshadow  renown. 

One  boy  is  recalled  who,  if  reports  be  true,  had  read  at 
four  the  Holy  Scriptures  through;  the  man  lives  in  ob- 
scurity to-day,  and  the  world  is  none  the  wiser.  Another, 
when  thirty  months  old,  took  into  his  memory,  never  to  be 
forgotten,  a  family  mansion — the  farm — its  divisions,  sur- 
roundings and  peculiarities,  down  to  the  smallest  minutiae,  and 
yet  this  name  has  never  been  pronounced  among  the  great. 
Of  the  three  persons  who  now  sit  in  the  writer's  study,  not  one 
can  recall  the  period  when  he  or  she  began  to  read.  And 
yet  neither  of  the  three  are  widely  known  to  fame. 

It  is  needless,  therefore,  to  dwell  upon  the  childhood  of 
McPheeters.  It  is  understood  by  all  who  knew  him,  that 
from  the  beginning  he  manifested  intelligence,  courage,  mag- 
nanimity and  honor.  There  never  was  a  doubt  about  his 
tenderness  or  sincerity.  The  "  brown-haired,"  bright-eyed  boy 
was  also  a  general  favorite.  Everybody  wished  him  well, 
for  his  cheerful  countenance  and  genial  humor  made  him  a 
welcome  addition  to  any  circle. 

An  incident  occurred  at  this  period  which  Dr.  McPheeters 
related,  not  long  before  his  death,  to  the  writer,  in  illustration 
of  the  subtlety  of  pride.  "Mrs.  Devereux  was  a  friend  of  my 
father's  family.  She  was  a  lady  of  wealth,  and  noted  for  her 
good  sense  and  Christian  liberality.  On  one  occasion  Mrs. 
D.  bought  a  bill  of  goods  in  the  city  of  Raleigh,  and  on  re- 
tiring from  the  store  looked  around  in  vain  for  a  porter,  all  • 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  33 

of  whom  were  colored  in  those  days.  I  stood  near,  and 
seeing  her  perplexity,  stepped  forward  quickly  and  said  :  "  Mrs. 
Devereaux,  I  will  carry  your  bundles  for  you.'  The  good 
woman  looked  at  me  earnestly  for  a  moment,  and  then  re- 
plied :  'Sammy,  I  feel  afraid  for  you,  you  are  growing  to  be  so 
proud.  Other  little  white  boys  w^ould  be  compromised  by 
taking  the  place  of  a  servant,  but  you  can  do  it  with  safety — 
you  are  Sammy  McPheeters,  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  McPheet- 
ers,  and  the  world  w^ill  admire  your  condescension !  Sammy, 
you  can  take  the  bundles,  but  you  must  keep  a  close  watch, 
my  boy,  on  your  pride.'  " 

Dr.  McPheeters  tells  us  in  his  journal  that  he  remained  with 
his  parents,  in  the  city  of  Raleigh,  N.  C,  while  he  was  re- 
ceiving the  rudiments  of  an  education,  until  January,  1836. 
He  then  went  to  the  Caldwell  Institute,  a  Presbyterial  school 
established  in  Greensboro'.  He  remained  there  under  the 
instruction  of  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson,  until  he  joined  the  sophomore 
class  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina.  At  the  latter  Insti- 
tution we  hear  of  him  in  a  letter  from  his  old  companion  and 
friend,  Samuel  F.  Phillips,  Esq.  : 

"  Loyalty  to  the  cherished  memory  of  a  classmate  at  Chapel 
Hill  prevailed  with  me  to  yield  a  ready  assent  to  the  part  you 
assigned  me  of  sketching  the  college  life  of  him  whom,  under 
the  impressions  you  have  aroused,  I  will  again  call  Sam  Mc- 
P/ieeters.  The  assent  may  have  been  two  ready,  as  I  find  that 
the  personages  and  incidents  in  that  life  which  produced  the 
strong  impressions  that  remain  have,  for  the  most  part,  faded 
away,  or  at  least  into  dim  outlines.  I  shall  have  to  submit  to 
you  an  estimate  rather  than  a  sketch. 

"  As  I  call  him  up  he  comes  not  alone.  A  troop  of  our  gay 
and  dear  comrades  surround  him  as  formerly  when  we  met 
upon  that  happy  Hill.     They  stand  together  once  more  in  that 

3 


34  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D,  D. 

sweet  and  exhilarating  air,  their  brows  bathed  in  the  sunhght 
of  those  departed  summers,  piercing  the  heavy  fohage  of  oak, 
hickory  and  poplar.  A  prospect  now  so  distant,  of  course, 
presents  their  persons  only  in  the  perspective,  and  it  is  not  so 
much  the  special  features  of  any  particular  object  that  we  enjoy 
as  the  blended  effect  and  impression  of  the  whole.  McPheet- 
ers  was  a  principal  figure  in  college  society  from  1838  until 
1 84 1.  He  joined  our  class  as  a  sophomore,  and  had  pre- 
viously been  well  drilled  in  mathematics,  for  which  branch  of 
study  he  manifested  a  marked  partiality.  He  was  not  so  pro- 
ficient in  the  ancient  languages,  especially,  as  I  recollect,  in 
Greek.  He  was  not  a  student,  particularly  in  the  latter  part 
of  the  course,  and  even  in  his  favorite  study  was  irregular  as 
to  the  merit  of  his  recitations.  When  some  passage  in  Analyti- 
cal Geometry  or  the  Calculus  attracted  him  he  would  make  a 
brilliant  display  before  the  class,  setting  off  his  demonstration 
by  an  artistic  y%//;r  and  a  lettering  extremely  neat  and  tasteful. 
I  recall  nothing  else  special  in  regard  to  his  connection  with 
the  text  books.  I  suppose  that  the  general  judgment  of  his 
teachers,  notwithstanding  their  ex-officio  inclination  to  slight  all 
who  do  not  compete  for  honors,  was,  that  he  possessed  intel- 
lectual ability  and  activity  of  a  high  grade,  and  such  intelli- 
gence and  force  of  character  as,  with  his  other  qualities,  plainly 
marked  him  for  future  eminence.  It  was  amongst  his  fellows 
that  his  position  was  most  remarkable.  Nervous  in  tempera- 
ment, brilliant,  witty,  tender  of  heart,  and  '  of  a  spirit  great  as 
Caesar's,'  he  was  the  knot  of  the  leading  social  circle  in  college, 
and  gave  a  tone  to  the  whole  community,  which,  even  when 
counter  to  the  views  of  the  authorities,  was  by  them  respected, 
and  occasionally  deferred  to.  Although  upon  excellent  terms 
with  the  Faculty,  he  was  regarded  by  them  as  the  leade)'  of  the 
opposition.     The  traditional  reputation  of  the  '  Second  passage 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  35 

of  the  south  end  of  the  West  Building '  suffered  no  disparage- 
ment whilst  in  the  keeping  of  '  Sam  Brown.'  Indeed,  it  was 
rather  exalted  and  somewhat  glorified  when  to  the  liberty 
and  free  speech  of  the  past  was  added  that  literary  flavor  and 
wit  which,  under  him,  distinguished  the  protest  of  the  under- 
graduates. 

"  In  our  literary  society  (the  Dialectic)  jMcPheeters  was  a 
poive)'.  Even  in  that  connection  he  was  hardly  a  student. 
His  essays  in  writing  were  generally  brief,  and  so  also  his 
speeches  in  debate.  I  well  recollect  his  declamation — always 
very  earnest,  almost  rapt,  his  soul  pouring  from  his  eyes, 
and  his  voice  stirred  with  emotion.  Outside  of  the  West 
Building,  at  a  distance  of  a  few  yards,  was  a  spot  deeply 
shaded  by  three  or  four  large  oaks.  To  this  place  chairs  and 
benches  were  carried,  and  upon  fine  afternoons  crowds  of 
youths,  strangers  as  yet  to  care,  assembled  to  enjoy  the  com- 
pany of  McPheeters.  Here,  upon  the  spur  of  the  occasion,  the 
oddest  dramas  were  gotten  up  with  rarest  impersonations,  and 
unrestrained  and  innocent  merriment  reigned  supreme.  Of  all 
this  he  was  the  animating  spirit,  and  it  was  all  the  overflow  of 
his  naiu7-al  temperament,  for  he  never  used  li(^uor.  He  was 
addicted  too  much  to  the  pipe,  but  that  was  his  only  solace  or 
stimulant. 

"  1  will  add  no  more.  I  see  him  now  passing  from  the  South 
Building  to  the  West.  He  wears  a  summer  gown,  his  shoes 
are  untied,  his  step  is  rapid,  his  feet  are  turned  in,  and  his  nose 
in  air.  Some  one  hails  Sam  Brown  cordially  from  a  win- 
dow, and  he  responds  as  cordially.  He  meets  President 
Swain,  pleasant  words  pass,  a  jest  and  repartee,  and  then  a 
hearty  laugh.  Before  the  echo  dies  away  they  have  disap- 
peared. " 

McPheeters  graduated  at  the  University  of  his  native  State 


^6  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

in  June,  1841.  He  returned  home  and  began  the  study  of  law 
with  Charles  Manly,  Esq.,  which  he  prosecuted  for  more  than 
a  year.  Early  in  January,  1842,  an  interesting  state  of  things 
began  to  prevail  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Raleigh,  and 
many  were  united  to  it.  The  journal  says  :  "  Among  those 
who  at  that  time  obtained  a  hope  were  my  two  sisters,  Susan 
and  Catherine,  and  myself,  on  Sunday  night,  January  30;  and 
on  the  6th  day  of  March,  1842,  some  twenty  of  us  united  with 
the  Church,  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Rev.  Drury  Lacy." 

Dr.  S.  J.  P.  Anderson,  of  St.  Louis,  furnishes  interesting 
particulars  in  regard  to  his  conversion : 

"My  long  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  Dr.  McPheeters 
enabled  me  to  get  a  view  of  his  inner  life  permitted  to  few. 
In  frequent  conversations  I  gathered  the  facts  which  I  desire 
now  to  record  touching  his  great  change  : 

"  Although  brought  up  piously  by  parents  noted  for  the 
faithfulness  and  consistency  of  their  Christian  deportment,  he 
grew  up  to  early  manhood  without  making  a  profession  of 
religion,  and  rather  remarkably  free  from  those  serious  im- 
pressions which  arise  almost  irresistibly  in  a  godly  house. 
His  buoyant  hilarity  of  disposition  and  his  inexhaustible  fund 
of  anecdote,  coupled  with  a  really  genial  nature,  made  him  a 
most  fascinating  companion — the  joy  and  pride  of  every  social 
circle.  And  no  doubt  his  acceptableness  as  a  companion 
helped  to  render  him  insensible  to  those  serious  thoughts 
which  spontaneously  suggest  themselves  to  every  well  in- 
structed youth. 

"  At  all  events,  his  college  career  was  passed  before  he  found 
Jesus,  or  rather  was  found  of  Him.  He  was  never  addicted 
to  vice.  Indeed,  he  was  intrinsically  too  much  of  a  gentleman 
to  fall  into  those  gross  indulgences  which  have  so  great  an  at- 
traction for  young  men  gathered  together  in  College.     But  in 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  37 

all  innocent  mischief  and  frolic  he  was  a  leader.  At  the  same 
lime,  however,  he  was  keenly  alive  to  the  dangers  of  the  popu- 
larity which  he  enjoyed.  At  one  time  he  discovered  that  at 
social  parties  he  was  solicited  to  drink  wine  for  the  very  pur- 
pose of  inducing  him  to  talk  freely  and  pour  out  his  stories  of 
wit  and  repartee  for  the  gratification  of  his  associates.  The 
discovery  at  once  put  him  on  his  guard,  and  he  became  care- 
fully abstemious.  The  impression  thus  made  vras  deepened 
and  confirmed  by  an  incident  which  occurred  at  an  evening 
party  of  young  men  assembled  in  one  of  the  rooms  of  the  Col- 
lege. They  had  indulged  freely  (but  not  to  intoxication),  and 
late  at  night  he  retired  to  rest  and  soon  fell  into  a  profound 
sleep.  From  this  he  awoke  with  a  burning  thirst,  and  groped 
his  vray  in  the  dark  to  the  water  pitcher,  which  was  covered 
over  with  ice.  Dashing  his  hand  through  the  frozen  covering 
he  lifted  the  pitcher  to  his  lips,  and  drank,  what  he  thought,  the 
sweetest  draught  his  lips  had  ever  tasted.  He  determined  to 
impart  his  discovery  to  his  boon  companions.  He,  therefore, 
immediately  awakened  them  from  their  slumbers  and  urged 
them  to  drink  from  his  pitcher,  saying,  '  It  is  the  best  drink  I 
ever  tasted,  and  the  only  one  I  vrill  hereafter  take.'  And  the 
vow,  made  under  these  singular  circumstances,  he  faithfully 
kept.  From  that  time  wine  and  spirits  were  used  by  him  only 
as  a  medicine.  This  anecdote,  rightly  apprehended,  will  throw 
a  strong  light  on  the  character  he  had  formed  in  early  youth — 
exquisitely  sensitive  to  the  pleasures  of  social  indulgence  and 
yet  heroically  able  to  restrain  the  gratification  of  his  appetites. 
This  was  a  good  index  of  his  after  life. 

"  He  left  the  College  after  graduation,  and  returning  home 
to  Raleigh  entered  at  once  on  the  study  of  the  law,  having 
through  all  his  course  maintained  the  appearance  of  a  light- 
hearted,  jovial  and  remarkably  social  young  man;  and  yet  he 


38  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

had  not  been  without  occasional  visitations  01  remorseful 
seasons,  although  these  periods  of  sober  reflection  were  care- 
fully concealed  from  his  companions.  Sometimes,  after  an 
hour  of  immense  hilarity  in  conversation,  he  would  retire  into  a 
forest  near  the  University  buildings  and  fall  upon  his  knees  and 
in  an  agony  of  compunction  implore  God  to  pardon  his  foolish 
forgetfulness  of  his  high  and  sacred  duties  to  Him.  But  these 
visitations  were  short  as  well  as  few  and  far  between,  and  he 
returned  to  his  worldly  career  with  a  new  zest. 

"  Soon  after  commencing  the  study  of  law  there  was  held  in 
Raleigh  a  protracted  meeting,  during  which  considerable  inter- 
est in  sacred  things  was  manifested.  McPheeters,  however,  was 
unimpressed,  and  also  avoided  the  meetings.  Sitting  one  day 
in  his  office,  reading  Blackstone,  he  saw  his  pastor.  Rev.  Drury 
Lacy,  D.  D.,  approaching.  At  once  divining  the  object  of 
his  visit,  he  put  a  mark  in  the  volume,  and  with  a  feeling  of 
irritation  and  resentment  prepared  for  the  interview.  There 
was  another  clergyman  assisting  in  the  meeting  whom  he  did 
not  particularly  like,  and,  as  his  visitor  approached,  he  heartily 
wished  that  it  had  been  the  '  other  one,'  whom  he  would  have 
soon  sent  about  his  business  with  very  little  apparent  fruits 
from  what  McPheeters  tRen  considered  a  rather  impertinent 
and  certainly  very  annoying  intrusion  on  his  studies.  But  he 
could  not  wound  his  gentle,  loving  and  noble  hearted  pastor, 
and  so  he  braced  himself  to  sustain  the  shock  as  best  he  might. 
Dr.  Lacy  talked  to  him,  as  he  knew  so  well  how  to  talk,  about 
the  concerns  01  his  soul,  but  no  impression  was  made.  The 
young  student  listened  attentively  and  respectfully,  but  coldly, 
to  these  admonitions  and  exhortations.  Seeing  he  was  accom- 
plishing little,  the  pastor  wisely  closed  the  interview  by  making 
the  request  that  his  young  friend  would  devote  one-half  hour 
to  serious  thought  and  self-examination  on  the   great  theme 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  39 

that  he  had  been  pressing  on  his  attention.  The  request 
seemed  a  reasonable  one,  and  he  readily  made  the  promise 
required.  With  his  punctillious  sense  of  honor  he  kept  his 
engagement,  and  devoted  the  half  hour  to  the  solemn  question 
of  his  duty  to  God  and  himself.  It  was  the  turning  point  of 
his  life — the  crisis  of  his  immortality.  Blackstone  was  never 
reopened  by  him  again.  So  far  as  he  was  concerned,  that  book 
mark  is  there  still.  His  reflections  aroused  him  to  an  awful 
sense  of  his  sin  and  danger,  and  with  all  his  soul  he  began  to 
seek  the  Savior  whom  he  had  so  long  neglected ;  but,  although 
so  well  instructed  from  the  fireside,  the  Sunday  School  and  the 
pulpit,  his  soul  was  in  utter  darkness.  The  Bible  had  no  light, 
and  prayer  brought  no  relief.  He  would  repeat  to  himself  the 
questions  and  answers  of  the  Catechism,  which  had  always 
seemed  to  him  so  clear  in  their  delineations  of  the  way  of  life, 
but  they  did  not  convey  an  idea  to  his  tortured  mind  or  a  hope 
to  his  despairing  soul. 

"  He  had  a  very  dear  friend  (thought  still  to  be  irreligious) 
who  after  graduation  had  remained  as  tutor  in  the  University. 
He  determined  to  visit  him  and  see  if  his  genial  talk,  which  had 
so  often  beguiled  him  to  cheerfulness,  would  not  again  avail  to 
restore  his  former  equanimity,  and  thus  give  him  back  that 
false  peace  which  he  had  once  enjoyed.  He  at  once  set  out 
for  Chapel  Hill  and  found  his  friend;  but,  to  his  dismay, 
Charles  Phillips,  the  associate  of  his  college  days,  had  gone 
before  him  to  the  cross  of  Christ  and  there  had  found  Him  who 
gives  peace.  But  his  friend  could  not  tell  him  comfortingly 
and  effectually  what  he  should  do  to  be  saved.  His  soul  was 
as  dark  and  despairing  as  before.  He  returned  home  thus 
thrown  back  upon  himself;  and  then,  as  he  wandered  lost  in 
thought  amid  mazes  of  doubt,  Christ  met  him,  revealed  the 
way  of  life  to  the  '  heavy  laden,'  and  filled  his  soul  with  the 


40  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

peace  that  passeth  understanding.  And  then  he  found,  to  use 
his  own  words,  '  the  plan  of  salvation  was  so  simple  that  he 
had  nearly  passed  through  it  before  he  knew  that  he  had 
entered  the  gate.' 

"  From  that  time  onward  the  religious  life  of  McPheeters  was 
remarkably  consistent,  and  his  path,  like  that  of  the  dawn, 
shone  more  and  more  till  the  perfect  day. 

"Toward  the  end  of  August,  1843,  the  young  law  student 
left  Raleigh  for  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  with  a  view  of  joining 
the  Theological  Seminary  in  that  place.  '  A  man's  heart  devis- 
eth  the  way,  but  the  Lord  directeth  his  steps.' " 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  41 


CHAPTER    III. 

SEMINARY    LIFE. 

McPheeters  has  now  entered  fairly  upon  the  study  of  theol- 
ogy. Nor  is  there  any  lack  of  information  in  regard  to  his 
habits  and  character  at  this  particular  period.  For,  beside  the 
vivid  recollection  of  friends,  there  exists  a  register  of  events 
and  personal  experiences  carefully  recorded  by  himself.  In 
addition,  therefore,  to  the  testimony  of  others,  it  will  be  a  mat- 
ter of  interest  to  introduce,  here  and  there,  a  few  extracts  from 
the  journal. 

"  Princeton,  Oct.  24,  1845. — To-day  I  purchased  a  blank 
book,  in  which  I  intend  to  keep  a  short  diary  of  passing  events ; 
and  as  I  find  many  circumstances  escape  my  mind,  which,  al- 
though not  of  much  interest  in  themselves,  yet  are  such  as  I  do 
not  wish  entirely  to  escape  me.  Besides,  it  is  well  to  keep  some 
note  of  time,  and  daily  to  settle  one's  accounts  of  loss  and  profit, 
so  that  to-morrow  may  not  have  to  discharge  the  debts  of  to- 
day." 

"  1845, — Nov.  29,  Saturday. — Attended  no  recitation  this 
day,  as  we  had  no  question  to  read  in  theology.  Indeed,  I 
did  very  little  to-day  in  the  way  of  study,  for  which  I  have 
some  stings  of  conscience.     I  hope  I  may  be  forgiven." 

"  December  21,  Wednesday. — Attended  a  called  meeting 
of  the  committee  on  sailors,  soldiers  and  Africans.  Resolved 
to  try  and  do  better  in  the  ensuing  year  than  I  have  done. 
Resolved  to  be  more  diligent  in  reading  of  the  Sacred  Scrip- 
tures.    Resolved  to  try  and  live  better  in  every  respect." 

"  1846. — January   2   and  3   (Friday  and   Saturday). — 


42  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

Went  over  and  had  a  conversation  with  Dr.  Alexander  on  the 
subject  of  preaching  to  the  negroes.  He  is  anxious  I  should 
go  to  Petersburg  for  that  purpose,  and  I  am  disposed  to  give 
the  matter  a  very  serious  consideration." 

"  Returned  home  to  Raleigh,  North  Carolina,  May  29.  Sab- 
bath, June  7,  made  some  remarks  at  the  monthly  concert.  To- 
night, preached  my  first  sermon  (if  one  who  is  not  licensed 
can  be  said  to  preach)  to  the  people  of  color  in  the  session 
room  of  our  church.  Subject :  The  Christian  a  pilgrim. — Heb. 
xi.  13.  Notice  was  only  given  to-day,  but  we  had  a  crowded 
house  of  very  attentive  listeners.  As  w^e  have  very  few  colored 
people  connected  with  our  Church,  I  suppose  it  was  principally 
curiosity  that  brought  them.  Oh !  for  more  of  the  Spirit  of 
Christ  to  love  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  poor." 

"  Sabbath,  June  21. — Held  religious  services  in  the  session 
room  this  evening  for  the  colored  people — room  crowded,  and 
the  assembly  solemn  and  attentive.  I  tried  to  press  upon  them 
the  duty  of  building  upon  Christ  as  the  only  foundation,  from 
parable  of  the  two  builders,  in  Matt.  vii.  24-27 — much  assisted 
in  preparing,  but  not  so  in  the  delivery." 

"June  29. — Held  religious  services  again  this  evening  for 
the  colored  people  in  the  session  room,  and  had  a  house  full. 
Spoke  from  John  xii.  2 1 — '  Sir,  we  would  see  Jesus.'  The  au- 
dience seemed  to  listen." 

"July  12,  Sabbath. — Last  Sabbath  was  the  monthly  concert 
of  prayer.  Dr.  Wilson  and  Mr.  Gilchrist  present,  and  a  pretty 
full  meeting.  This  evening  I  again  held  religious  services  for 
the  colored  people.  Spoke  from  Luke  xix.  41-42 — Christ 
weeping  over  Jerusalem.  Audience  not  as  large  as  the  night 
before — exceedingly  hot.  I  did  not  talk  with  much  satisfac- 
tion to  myself.  The  oil  was  not  beaten  enough  for  a  bright 
light.     Mr.  Lacy  present." 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  43 

"July  15,  Wednesday. — This  being  the  day  appointed  for 
an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Orange  to  meet  in 
Hillsboro  to  examine  me  for  license,  Mr.  Lacy  and  myself  left 
for  that  place  on  the  morning  of  this  day  in  a  carriage  which 
Mrs.  Devereux  kindly  loaned  us.  We  arrived  in  Hillsboro 
about  seven  o'clock  p.  m.,  and  drove  up  to  the  house  of  Dr. 
Wilson.  The  Presbytery  met  at  the  session  rooms.  Present — 
Dr.  Wilson,  Messrs.  Burwell,  Lynch,  Lacy  and  Hughes,  minis- 
ters ;  C.  Phillips  and  Dr.  Long,  elders.  The  Presbytery  soon 
adjourned  to  meet  at  Dr.  Wilson's  house,  at  which  place  an 
examination  took  place  on  the  Latin,  Greek  and  Hebrew  lan- 
guages. Spent  the  night  at  Mr.  Ash's.  Next  day  (Thursday) 
examined  in  the  morning  on  Natural  Theology,  &:c.,  until  ten 
o'clock.  Presbytery  then  gave  me  a  recess  until  eleven  to 
prepare  my  sermon.  At  eleven  I  preached  in  the  church. 
Text :  Rev.  xxii.  17,  last  clause.  After  dinner  my  examination 
was  resumed  in  Mr.  Burwell's  study,  and  concluded  in  the  af- 
ternoon. Mr.  Lacy  preached  at  night.  After  preaching,  Mr. 
Hughes,  the  Moderator  of  the  Presbytery,  proposed  to  me  the 
constitutional  questions,  and  licensed  me  to  preach  the  ever- 
lasting gospel." 

"  Friday,  July  17. — I  went  to  Chapel  Hill  before  break- 
fast with  Ch.  Phillips;  remained  there  the  rest  of  the  day;  vis- 
ited Dr.  Mitchell." 

"  Sabbath,  July  26. — Preached  for  the  first  time,  this  after- 
noon, in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  this  place  (Raleigh). 
The  congregation  rather  smaller  than  usual,  owing  to  a  camp- 
meeting  in  the  vicinity.  Text:  Rev.  xxii. — last  clause  of  17th 
verse.  I  had  a  cold,  and  for  various  reasons  seemed  to  de- 
liver my  message  with  very  little  power." 

"  Sabbath,  August  2. — This  evening  made  a  short  mission- 
ary address,  in  which  I  tried  to  show  why  it  is  we  take  so  little 


44  IMEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

interest  in  the  affairs  of  missions :  proved  it  to  be  a  want  of  in- 
terest in  religion  itself." 

Dr.  C.  Phillips,  of  Davidson  College,  North  Carolina,  says  : 
"  The  years  1843-4,  v»^hich  we  spent  together  at  Princeton,  fur- 
nished me  with  more  opportunities  for  associating  with  IMcPhee- 
ters  than  I  had  before  or  have  had  since.  I  knew  him  only  by 
reputation  until  he  joined  the  sophomore  class  at  our  University, 
in  July,  1838,  While  at  College  his  associations  and  mine  did 
not  bring  us  together  as  intimates.  His  forte  was  mathematics. 
Yet  his  attention  to  that  was  desultory.  His  companions  were 
too  idle  to  let  him  study  much.  I  have  known  him  to  weep 
while  at  Princeton  over  the  folly  that  marked  his  college  life. 
He  thought  while  at  Chapel  Hill  that  he  was  to  be  a  lawyer, 
and  that  the  languages  would  be  of  but  little  use  to  him.  So 
he  neglected  what  would  have  been  to  him  in  after  life  of  in- 
estimable service.  He  did  not  sow  beside  all  waters,  not  know- 
ing which  would  prosper.  He  was  a  very  influential  member 
of  our  class  and  of  our  society — the  Dialectic.  He  was  ready 
in  debate,  fluent,  abundant  in  illustrations,  and  fond  of  humor- 
ous sallies.  So  he  was,  at  all  times,  excellent  company.  No 
man  in  our  class  was  more  generally  respected  or  more  par- 
ticularly beloved  by  his  associates. 

"  Ours  were  turbulent  times  at  the  University.  The  students 
were  frequendy  riotous,  and  there  were  grievous  dissensions  and 
lamentable  schisms  in  the  two  societies.  Sam  McPheeters  was 
not  thought  to  be  on  the  side  of  law  and  order  by  the  Faculty 
or  by  the  soberer  students.  He  was  not  dissipated  or  riotous 
himself,  but  his  companions  were.  But  when  we  (perhaps 
among  the  most  unlikely  members  of  our  class)  were  afterward 
together  preparing  to  preach  the  gospel  of  truth  and  soberness 
— all  this  was  changed.  Sam  was  still  fond  of  an  argument, 
and  would  often  convulse  us  with  an  illustration  or  a  simile. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  45 

But  there  was  no  trace  of  his  former  (to  some  factious)  dispo- 
sition. His  was  then  a  lovely  specimen  of  a  heart  subdued 
by  grace.  We  helped  each  other.  I  him,  by  my  book  knowl- 
edge; he  me,  by  his  ingenuity  and  originality.  Oh!  how  he 
mourned  over  misspent  hours  at  school  and  at  college.  But 
by  his  dogged  resolution  he  did  much  to  retrieve  his  losses. 

"  I  learned  to  love  him  very  much  for  his  amiability,  and  to 
admire  him  for  the  spiritedness  of  his  efforts.  I  have  never 
known  but  one  Sam  McPheeters.  His  piety  was  deep,  solemn 
and  sincere,  and  full  of  cheerfulness.  His  natural  bent  of  mind 
was  toward  funny  views  of  things  around  him. 

"When  Professor  Addison  Alexander  was  drilling  us  into  the 
pronuciation  of  Hebrew,  Sam,  whose  tongue  was  stiff  and  lips 
thick,  was  almost  in  despair.  '  He  kneiu  the  fhifigs  by  sight, 
but  he  could  not  call  their  names.''  Professor  Alexander  used 
to  read  the  Hebrew  for  us,  at  first  slowly,  then  more  rapidly, 
then  he  would  go  on  cracking  away  a  mile  a  minute.  '  How 
do  you  get  on  McPheeters  ? '  '  Phillips,  when  he  calls  out 
verse  seven  I  break  for  verse  eight,  and  set  for  him  I '  .  This 
securing  Hebrew  sounds,  as  hunters  do  deer,  was  too  much 
for  my  gravity,  and  secured  for  me  a  reproving  look  from  the 
then  awful  professor.  After  I  left  Princeton  we  corresponded 
frequently  and  regularly  till  he  went  to  St.  Louis.  He  got 
remiss  in  writing,  and  so,  with  mutual  regrets,  and  without 
design,  we  ceased  to  communicate  directly  with  each  other. 
I  was  always  sure  that  he  would  do  a  good  work  in  our  Mas- 
ter's vineyard,  and  I  thank  God  that  he  enabled  my  old  friend 
to  do  it.  The  account  of  his  death  was  read  by  our  Prof. 
Anderson  here  to  our  students,  at  our  weekly  prayer  meeting, 
with  marked  effect.  I  thank  God  that  I  knew  Sam.  McPhee- 
ters, and  pray  that  more  of  his  spirit  may  rest  on  us." 

Dr.  A.  A.  Hodge,  of  Alleghany  City,  writes : 


4-6  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

"I  am  rejoiced  to  hear  that  you  propose  to  prepare  a 
memoir  of  that  peerless  man  and  Christian  minister  and  friend, 
Samuel  B.  McPheeters.  I  would  be,  indeed,  more  than  glad, 
if  it  were  in  my  power,  to  contribute  to  the  undertaking  any 
material  aid.  But,  although  I  have  never  ceased  to  thank 
God  for  the  privilege  of  having  known  and  loved  him,  our  per- 
sonal contact  continued  only  three  years  in  Princeton  Seminary, 
and  in  the  quarter  of  a  century  which  has  elapsed  since  then  I 
have  seen  him  but  one  single  hour,  during  the  sessions  of  the 
General  Assembly,  in  Philadelphia,  in  1853.  Because  of  my 
dilatoriness,  also,  we  seldom  corresponded,  so  that  I  possess  no 
illustrative  facts  or  incidents  to  relate,  only  an  imperishable 
remembrance  of  one  of  the  most  graceful  human  beings,  in 
both  the  natural  and  the  supernatural  senses  of  the  word,  that 
I  have  ever  known.  He  was  older  than  some  of  us.  His 
earlier  years  he  had  confessedly  not  improved  as  a  scholar,  and 
he  had  not  yet  acquired  a  smooth  and  equable  use  of  all  his 
powers  in  the  study  of  books  and  in  the  fixed  routine  of  class 
exercises;  and  yet  he  stood  eminent  among  his  classmates  for 
a  singularly  conscientious,  diligent  and  successful  discharge  of 
all  the  duties  and  improvement  of  all  the  advantages  of  his 
seminary  course. 

^'  Beyond  any  other  man  that  I  ever  knew,  in  any  seminary, 
McPheeters  had  the  singular  faculty  of  attaching  the  respect 
and  affection  of  all  his  fellow  students  of  every  grade  of  culture, 
variety  of  character,  and  of  every  section  of  the  land.  He 
stood,  /ezci/e  princeps,  as  the  best  beloved  of  all  his  cotempo- 
raries.  In  an  inner  circle  of  personal  friends,  to  which  it  was  my 
happiness  to  be  attached,  adorned  by  such  men  as  Charles  Phil- 
lips, Wm.  M.  Scott  and  B.  T.  Lacy,  he  was  also  the  attractive 
center  and  common  bond.  How  beautiful  to  all  of  us  who  sur- 
vive does  he  appear  in  the  back-look,  in   his  unfaded,  early 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  47 

manhood,  in  the  matchless  sweetness  ot  his  disposition,  the 
many  sidedness  and  attractiveness  of  his  magnetic  nature,  and 
in  the  dehghtful  eloquence  of  his  discourse.  His  moral  nature 
was  as  exquisitely  pure  and  ethical  as  a  woman's,  while  he  was 
at  the  same  time  eminently  manly  in  the  breadth  of  his  under- 
standing and  the  force  of  his  character.  The  recollection  of 
him  brightens  all  the  associations  of  our  youth,  and  now  that 
he  has  gone  before  us,  the  thought  of  him  adds  new  attractions 
to  our  heavenly  home.  He  is,  doubtless,  gready  changed  and 
improved ;  nevertheless,  all  the  personal  and  peculiar  charac- 
teristics of  McPheeters  need  less  modification  to  render  them 
congruous  with  the  associations  of  Heaven  than  those  ot  any 
other  of  our  friends.  His  memory  is  very  precious  to  us  now, 
and  the  anticipation  of  reunion  with  him  cheers  the  onward 
way." 

The  Rev.  B.  T.  Lacy,  D.D.,  an  associate  at  Princeton  and 
a  friend  in  after  days,  records  the  following  impressions : 

"  In  the  autumn  ot  1843,  and  at  the  opening  of  the  session 
of  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  the  writer  first  met  with 
Samuel  B.  McPheeters.  He  had  preceded  him  about  ten  days. 
The  day  after  my  arrival  he  called  and  delivered  a  letter  of 
introduction  from  an  uncle — Rev.  Drury  Lacy,  D.D.,  of  Ra- 
leigh, N.  C,  his  beloved  pastor  and  his  warmly  attached  friend. 
The  impression  made  in  the  first  interview  is  well  remembered: 
his  kind  and  cordial  manner  and  his  courteous  and  gentlemanly 
bearing  at  once  commanded  respect  and  won  regard.  The  foun- 
dation was  then  laid  for  that  firm  and  lasting  friendship  and  for 
that  sincere  and  tender  affection  which  was  cherished  for  him 
when  living,  and  with  which  his  memory  is  regarded  when  dead. 
The  writer  instantly  recognized  a  congenial  spirit ;  he  felt  sure 
that  he  had  met  with  one  among  the  strangers  in  whom  he 
could  confide  and  with  whom  he  could  sympathize.     These 


48  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

first  impressions  were  more  than  realized;  our  intercourse  be- 
came almost  immediately  intimate  and  confidential.  During 
the  stay  of  three  years  at  Princeton,  an  intimacy  was  formed 
with  many  classmates  and  fellow-students,  and  a  warm  attach- 
ment existed  for  them,  but  the  first  place  in  affection  was 
assigned  to  him,  and  that  position  he  maintained  to  the  day 
of  his  death.  After  a  few  months,  arrangements  were  made  so 
to  occupy  our  apartments  that  one  should  be  used  as  a  sitting- 
room  and  study,  the  other  as  bedroom.  While  this  arrange- 
ment added  greatly  to  social  enjoyment,  it  interfered  somewhat 
v/ith  the  privacy  essential  to  the  most  successful  application  to 
study.  But  on  the  review  it  is  not  to  be  regretted,  for  it  is  felt 
that  a  full  compensation  for  every  disadvantage  was  offered  in  the 
association  with  a  companion  of  his  spirit.  The  intercourse  was 
v^'ithout  reserve  and  without  concealment;  the  heart  ot  each 
opened  to  the  other  with  the  fulness  and  treedom  which  consti- 
utedthe  perfection  of  a  most  delightful  and  confidential  Christian 
fellowship.  The  knowledge  gained  of  his  character  was  necessa- 
rily full  and  accurate,  and  the  better  he  was  known  the  more  he 
was  loved.  His  disposition  was  so  affectionate  and  sympa- 
thetic that  it  was  essential  for  him  to  have  some  one  with  whom 
he  could  communicate  and  in  whom  he  could  confide.  With 
all  his  manliness  of  character  and  inflexible  integrity  ot  nature 
there  was  a  womanly  gentleness  which  made  him  dependent 
upon  his  friends.  Firm  and  strong  as  the  unyielding  oak  in 
the  midst  of  danger  and  in  the  defense  of  truth,  yet  in  the  time 
of  repose  and  in  the  hours  of  quiet  his  heart  threw  out  its 
tendrils  like  the  clasping  vine  and  sought  support.  Shortly 
after  this  acquaintance  began  he  related  two  characteristic  inci- 
dents which  occurred  during  the  first  week  after  his  arrival  in 
Princeton.  The  reserve  of  the  students  in  their  intercourse 
while  they  were  yet  strangers,  and  the  necessarily  formal  and  brief 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D,  49 

interviews  which  professors  could  afford  to  give  at  the  time  he 
called  upon  them  and  presented  letters  of  introduction,  pro- 
duced a  depressing  effect  upon  his  sensitive  and  sympathetic 
nature.  He  felt  lonely  and  sad,  far  from  home  and  in  a  cold 
and  ungenial  clime.  In  this  mood  he  left  his  room,  pitcher  in 
hand,  for  the  pump  in  the  seminary  yard,  where  he  found  an 
old  negro  woman,  in  the  employ  of  the  steward,  who  promptly 
and  politely  offered  to  fill  his  pitcher  for  him.  When  she  took 
it  into  her  hands  she  remarked,  'This  pitcher  needs  a  good 
washing  with  hot  water,'  and  stepped  into  the  kitchen  for  the 
purpose.  Returning  in  a  moment  she  drew  the  water  and 
handed  the  thoroughly  cleansed  vessel  into  his  hands.  This 
slight  circumstance,  occurring  just  at  that  time,  so  touched  his 
heart  that,  choked  with  sudden  emotion,  and  with  tears  starting 
to  his  eyes,  he  w^as  scarcely  able  to  express  his  thanks  for  her 
kindness.  On  entering  his  room  he  deposited  the  (to  him) 
precious  pitcher  of  water  and  hastened  to  the  nearest  dry  goods 
store,  which  was  a  half  mile  off,  where  he  purchased  the  mate- 
rial for  a  suitable  dress,  and  carrying  it  immediately  around  to 
the  kitchen  door,  called  for  the  old  woman.  He  greatly 
astonished  her  by  saying,  '  here  is  a  present  for  you;  you  have 
done  the  first  kind  act  for  me  that  I  have  received  since  I  came 
to  this  place.'  Said  she,  '  that  was  nothing;  just  to  fill  your 
pitcher  with  water  for  you!'  He  replied,  'it  w^as  a  great  deal 
to  me ;  you  did  more  than  you  knew  of,  aunt — it  was  w^ater  to 
a  thirsty  soul,  and  you  must  take  that  dress  and  wear  it,  for 
you  know  our  Savior  said  the  cup  of  cold  water  shall  not  be 
without  its  reward.'  Incidents  such  as  this  reveal  the  true  char- 
acter. Like  windows  in  the  breast,  they  enable  you  to  look  in 
and  see  the  workings  of  a  pure  and  generous  heart,  and 
often  disclose  more  than  a  volume  of  mere  statistical  biography. 
"  Among  his  letters  of  introduction  from  Dr.  Lacy  there  was 
4     . 


5©  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

one  to  the  Rev.  Benjamin  H.  Rice,  D.  D. — clarum  et  venerahile 
nomen — who  was  at  that  time  the  pastor  of  the  Princeton  Church. 
Some  delay  occurred  before  the  letter  was  delivered.  When 
he  called  and  presented  it,  Dr.  Rice  received  him  in  the  most 
cordial  and  affectionate  manner,  as  a  father  might  a  son.  Said 
he,  '  I  knew  your  father  and  your  mother  long  before  you  were 
born.'  And  still  holding  his  hand  in  both  his,  he  said:  '  Come, 
sit  down,  Sam,  and  tell  me  about  your  mother.'  This  simple 
and  familiar  mode  of  address  went  right  to  his  heart  and  un- 
sealed its  fountains.  When  referring  to  the  occasion,  he  said 
that  his  emotions  almost  prevented  him  from  sustaining  the 
conversation  or  answering  the  numerous  questions  which  were 
kindly  put  to  him.  That  interview  formed  the  happy  intro- 
duction to  the  most  intimate  and  delightful  intercourse  with 
the  warm-hearted  and  highly  cultivated  family  of  Dr.  Rice, 
where  he  was  a  regular  and  welcome  visitor  as  often  as  every 
week  of  his  stay  at  Princeton. 

"  His  social  disposition  and  kind  and  easy  address  soon 
made  him  acquainted  with  his  fellow  students,  and  enabled 
him  readily  to  secure  their  esteem  and  affection.  No  man 
in  the  Seminary  added  so  much  to  the  social  enjoyment  of 
the  fraternity.  He  was  so  true  a  gentleman,  possessed  of 
such  cordial  and  winning  manners,  with  such  a  constant  flow 
of  kind  and  genial  humor,  and,  at  the  same  time,  with 
such  simple  and  unaffected  piety,  that  it  is  not  surprising 
he  was  a  general  favorite.  He  was  the  most  universally 
beloved  and  the  most  popular  man  in  the  Seminary.  In  the 
beginning  of  his  course  he  was  embarrassed  by  serious  diffi- 
culties. He  had  not  been  for  a  great  while  a  member  of 
the  Church,  and  much  of  his  time,  when  at  college,  had  been 
spent  in  a  careless  and  idle,  though  not  in  a  positively  dissi- 
pated manner.     Hence  his  preparation  for  the  Seminary  classes 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.   D.  5I 

was  deficient.  This  he  never  ceased  to  regret  and  to  mourn 
over  with  the  deepest  contrition.  His  deficiencies,  however, 
which  were  not  greater  than  those  of  the  average  of  his  class- 
mates, he  was  disposed  in  his  humihty  greatly  to  exaggerate. 
Not  unfrequendy  he  became  disturbed  in  regard  to  the  genu- 
ineness of  his  call  to  the  ministry,  and  in  the  most  painful, 
thorough  and  prayerful  manner  would  re-examine  the  whole 
subject,  and  decide  the  important  question  anew.  His  con- 
science was  so  sensitive,  his  humility  so  profound,  and  his 
fear  of  presumption  so  great  that  he  was  often  in  deep  distress. 
At  times  he  almost  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  his  duty 
to  leave  the  Seminary.  On  such  occasions  his  friends  became 
greatly  concerned,  for,  beside  their  clear  conviction  that  he  was 
mistaken  as  to  his  duty,  they  could  not  consent  to  give  him  up. 
After  the  whole  subject  was  discussed  in  the  most  serious  and 
candid  manner,  his  conclusion  would  always  be  the  same  in 
the  end.  '  Well,'  he  would  say,  '  I  will  remain  and  study 
through  the  course;  I  may  be  able  to  preach  to  the  colored 
people,  and  do  some  good  among  them.'  And  to  them  he  did 
give  the  first  fruits  of  his  ministeral  life,  and  for  the  spiritual 
interest  of  that  class  of  the  population  he  ever  lelt  the  deepest 
concern.  He  suffered  much  from  too  great  sensitiveness, 
which  was  constitutional,  and  at  times  almost  morbid  in  its 
character.  The  speaking  and  preaching  exercises,  which  were 
conducted  in  the  presence  of  a  professor  and  the  body  of  the 
students,  gave  him  serious  trouble.  As  the  students  were 
expected  to  offer  criticisms,  he  complained  that  he  had  no 
audience  to  speak  to,  and  could  not  address  a  company  of  men 
who  felt  no  sympathy  with  him  or  his  subject,  and  who  were 
watching  with  critical  eyes  all  his  defects.  During  the  first  two 
years  he  was  seldom  able  entirely  to  complete  the  delivery  of 
his  address.     At  such  times  he  seemed  to  suffer  as  from   a 


52  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

*  wounded  spirit/  and  could  scarcely  bear  it.  In  his  first 
attempts  to  address  audiences  in  the  surrounding  neighbor- 
hoods, though  usually  very  happy  and  impressive  on  such 
occasions,  he  sometimes  lost  his  self-possession  and  was  sorely 
mortified.  I  recall  an  instance  in  which  he  had  made  elab- 
orate preparation,  and  took  with  him  a  carefully  prepared 
syllabus  or  skeleton  of  his  discourse,  to  which  he  frequently 
referred  during  his  long  and  solitary  walk  to  the  Rocky  Hill 
neighborhood.  Unconsciously  he  had  perfectly  transferred  to 
his  memory  all  the  divisions  and  subdivisions  of  his  subject  just 
as  he  had  them  written  down.  When  he  rose  to  speak,  suddenly 
losing  his  self-command,  he  proceeded  with  a  rapid  utterance 
to  speak  off  the  syllabus,  verbatim,  which  consumed  about 
three  minutes  of  time,  and  then  took  his  seat  in  complete  dis- 
comfiture. This  occurred  at  an  evening  service  and  about 
three  miles  from  Princeton.  He  had  expected  to  remain  for 
the  night  at  the  house  of  a  friend.  Imagine  the  surprise  when, 
pale  and  exhausted,  his  feet  covered  with  snow,  he  burst  into 
the  room  at  a  late  hour.  His  countenance  indicated  the  deepest 
distress,  and  in  answer  to  inquiries,  he  only  persistently  and 
sadly  declared  he  would  leave  the  Seminary  on  the  next  morn- 
ing. And,  indeed,  his  mind  was  so  far  determined  upon  it  that 
he  prepared  a  note  of  explanation  for.  Dr.  Alexander,  which  he 
requested  to  be  delivered  after  his  departure.  Argument  and 
expostulation  were  used  with  him  for  hours  that  night  to  no 
effect,  until,  with  a  little  impatience,  he  was  told  that  he  ought  to 
go — that  a  man  who  had  no  more  faith  and  resolution  than  to 
give  up  the  cherished  purpose  of  his  life  and  his  settled  con- 
victions of  duty  for  one  failure,  and  that  of  the  most  natural 
kind,  and  not  likely  in  that  form  to  occur  again,  was  not 
worthy  to  enter  the  ministry,  for  he  was  not  prepared  to  make 
any  sacrifices   for  his   Savior.     The  offer  was  then  made  to 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  53 

assist  him  in  packing  his  trunk.  He  said :  '  No ;  I  am  willing 
to  make  any  sacrifice  for  my  Savior,  and  I  will  continue  to  try 
to  preach,  if  it  kills  me.'  He  was  one  of  the  most  genuinely 
sincere  and  unaffectedly  humble  men  ever  known.  His  hu- 
mility sometimes  led  him  to  a  self-depreciation  which  was 
injurious  while  it  was  unjust.  His  success  in  his  studies  before 
he  completed  his  course,  especially  in  the  department  of  didactic 
theology,  in  which  he  excelled,  served  to  encourage  him,  and 
when  he  entered  upon  the  active  duties  of  the  ministry  the 
high  appreciation  of  his  services  by  others  gave  him  a  fairer 
estimate  of  himself  and  inspired  him  with  greater  confidence. 
He  related  an  amusing  illustration  of  his  surprise  at  the  value 
set  upon  his  preaching  shortly  after  he  entered  upon  his  labors 
among  the  colored  people  in  Virginia.  The  Rev.  Jesse  S.  Armi- 
stead,  D.D.,  came  from  his  charge  in  Cumberland  county  to 
preach  at  a  sacramental  occasion,  in  a  church  in  Amelia  county, 
and  not  far  from  the  field  of  McPheeters'  labors.  There  being 
some  interruption  in  his  appointments  on  that  Sabbath,  he 
went  over  on  Saturday  morning  to  attend  the  meeting  and  hear 
Dr.  Armistead,  who  had  a  well-deserved  reputation  as  a  most 
impressive  and  able  preacher.  Dr.  Armistead  insisted  upon 
his  preaching,  to  which  McPheeters  most  strenuously  objected, 
declaring  that  he  could  not  preach — that  he  was  the  preacher 
to  the  black  people,  and  that  he  had  been  put  to  preach  to 
them  because  he  was  not  fit  to  preach  to  the  whites.  But  Dr. 
A.  would  not  regard  his  excuses,  said  he  must  preach  once, 
and  forced  him  to  occupy  the  pulpit  that  morning.  In  his 
account  of  it,  he  said  that  he  had  a  carefully  prepared  sermon 
in  which  his  own  heart  had  been  deeply  interested,  and  which 
had  produced  a  strong  impression  upon  his  colored  audience 
the  Sabbath  before.  He  preached  it  with  great  earnestness 
and  tenderness;    a   decided   impression  was   made   upon  his 


54  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

hearers,  and  the  sympathetic  nature  of  old  Dr.  Jesse  S.  Armistead 
was  moved  to  tears.  At  the  close  of  the  service  he  arose  and 
said,  'The  dear  brother  who  had  preached  the  precious  gospel 
with  so  much  power  and  sweetness  to  them  that  morning  would 
preach  again  that  night,  and  also  on  Sabbath  morning  and 
Sabbath  night.'  When  he  sat  down,  McPheeters,  perfectly- 
aghast,  seized  his  arm,  exclaiming,  '  What  have  you  done  that 
for  ?'  Said  Dr.  A.,  in  his  characteristically  rough  and  jocose  man- 
ner, 'What  did  you  tell  me  that  lie  for,  and  say  you  couldn't 
preach  ? '  It  was  with  great  difficulty  that  he  could  get  off  from 
a  portion  of  the  work  thus  unceremoniously  cut  out  for  him, 
having  to  consent  to  preach  the  sermons  at  night. 

"  His  application  to  study  throughout  his  seminary  course 
was  faithful  and  diligent.  He  was  naturally  social  and  impul- 
sive, and  rather  restive  under  the  restraints  of  uniform  and 
positive  rules ;  but  in  the  exercise  of  a  strong  determination, 
and  especially  under  the  control  of  the  most  scrupulous  con- 
science, he  forced  himself  to  a  life  of  the  most  consistent 
adherence  to  duty.  He  was  punctual  in  his  attendance  upon 
all  the  public  exercises  of  the  Seminary,  as  he  was  faithful 
in  private  studies  and  in  his  secret  devotions.  The  result  of 
this  fidelity  and  discipline  was  a  decided  improvement  in 
his  intellectual  and  in  his  religious  character.  There  was  a 
constant  and  vigorous  growth  which  marked  the  progress 
of  his  development.  He  highly  appreciated  the  value  of 
his  instructions,  and  successfully  improved  them.  The  profess- 
ors in  the  seminary  inspired  him  with  the  greatest  confidence, 
and  when  other  sources  of  evidence  were  wanting  he  was  will- 
ing to  rely  upon  their  authority.  He  often  rebuked,  and  some- 
times most  happily  ridiculed,  a  tendency  quite  common  among 
young  men  of  questioning  everything  and  demanding  upon  all 
subjects  a  logical  demonstration.     His  mind  was  peculiarly  m- 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  55 

tuitive  in  its  character.  He  seized  quickly  upon  what  was  es- 
sential in  the  subject,  and  a  simple  and  clear  state mejit  was  to 
him  more  satisfactory  than  the  strongest  and  most  scientific 
logical  argument.  Indeed,  he  did  not  sufficiently  value  the 
science  of  logic,  and  used  to  maintain  that  an  adroit  dialec- 
tician could  confuse  the  mind  and  disturb  the  convictions  of 
any  ordinary  capacity.  He  had  some  very  ingenious  syllo- 
gisms and  logical  puzzles,  which  he  adduced  in  an  amusing 
way  to  sustain  his  positions. 

"  On  all  moral  subjects  his  intuitive  perception  of  truth  was 
very  remarkable.     In  the  study  of  the  most  difficult  problems 
of  theology,  particularly  those  possessing  a  psychological  aspect, 
a  few  of  the  class,  especially  Wm.  M.  Scott  and  A.  A.  Hodge, 
both  of  whom  became  professors  in  Theological  Seminaries, 
would  meet  for  the  comparison  of  views  and  for  the  discussion 
and  solution  of  diffixulties.     When  conclusions  were  reached 
and  subjected  to  the  severest  logical  analysis,  the  writer  was 
accustomed  to  say,  '  I  will  ask  McPheeters'  opinion  as  to  the 
truth  of  that  position,'  and  when  his  knowlege  of  such  sub- 
jects was  questioned,  it  was  replied  that  he  only  knew  one 
thing  about  them — he  knew  whether  they  were  true  or  false. 
He  was  never  known  to  fail.     Next  to  Dr.  Hodge's  invincible 
logic  and  profound  theological  knowledge,  I  placed  McPheeters' 
intuitive  perception  of  moral  truth.     He  had  no  difficulty  in 
accepting  the  doctrines  of  the  Old  School  Calvinistic  theology. 
He  said  that  ht  felt  that  they  were  true,  and  the  plausible  ob- 
jections and  specious  modifications  of  modern  rationalism  gave 
him  no  trouble.     He  was  disturbed  by  no  harassing  doubts  as 
to  God's  revealed  truth ;  his  faith  was  simple  and  child-like  in 
its  character.     *  Thus  saith  the  Lord'  was  ever  sufficient  for  him. 
"  His  most  distinguishing  traits  were  his  moral  intuition^  his 
conscie?jtioustiess   dXid.\i\s  social  disposition.     These  elements  were 


56  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

each  developed  in  the  highest  degree,  and  were,  at  the  same 
time,  so  perfectly  and  harmoniously  blended  that  they  consti- 
tuted a  character  of  the  rarest  excellence.  To  his  associates 
his  social  nature  was,  of  course,  most  obvious  and  most  char- 
acteristic. With  a  quick  and  instinctive  discrimination  of  the 
characters  and  tastes  of  others,  he  possessed  the  disposition 
readily  to  sympathize  and  an  unusual  capacity  for  adaptation. 
Hence  he  was  seldom,  if  ever,  at  a  loss  for  topics  of  conversa- 
tion peculiarly  suited  and  entirely  agreeable  to  his  company. 
He  put  himself  to  some  extent  in  the  place  of  others,  and  inter- 
preted their  own  feelings  for  them.  He  seemed  not  to  think 
of  himself;  and  as  he  exhibited  a  generous  and  unselfish  con- 
cern for  their  feelings  and  interests,  there  were  excited  emo- 
tions of  gratitude  which  readily  changed  into  those  of  sincere 
regard.  There  was  an  entire  absence  of  all  calculation.  No 
suspicion  of  intentional  or  selfish  design  could,  for  a  moment, 
be  entertained.  He  was  always  trusted — never  suspected,  and, 
where  the  intercourse  continued,  invariably  beloved.  The  first 
impressions  which  he  made  were  very  favorable.  In  many  in- 
stances he  was  beloved  from  the  first  interview.  His  sympa- 
thies had  the  widest  possible  range,  and  his  capacity  of  adap- 
tation was  of  equal  extent.  He  has  been  seen  with  the  shy 
and  timid  child,  winning  it,  as  by  the  power  of  a  charm,  from 
the  mother's  arms  to  his  own.  It  is  needless  to  add  that  in 
every  such  instance  the  mother's  heart  followed  the  impulses 
of  her  child.  He  possessed  the  same  attractive  influence  over 
the  rudest,  roughest  and  most  uncultivated  men  and  boys.  He 
recognized  whatever  latent  susceptibility  there  was  in  them  for  the 
kind,  the  good  or  the  humorous,  and,  touching  it  as  with  a  magic 
influence,  he  drew  them  into  communion  with  himself.  When 
in  contact  with  natures  of  the  highest  order,  and  minds  of  the 
widest  and  severest  culture,  his  sympathies  brought  him  into 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  57 

immediate  and  intimate  companionship  with  them,  and  seemed 
to  inspire  him  with  a  knowledge  almost  equal  to  their  own. 
When  in  conversation  with  such  men  as  Dr.  Hodge  on  pro- 
found theological  subjects,  Dr.  Dodd  on  metaphysical  specu- 
lations and  art  criticism,  or  Dr.  Henry  on  physical  science,  he 
appeared  to  be  wonderfully  at  home  and  familiar  even  when 
he  acknowledged  his  almost  entire  previous  ignorance  of  the 
subjects.  His  sympathy  constituted  a  ladder,  which  he  could 
let  down  to  those  below  him,  and  by  which  he  could  as  easily 
ascend  to  those  above  him.  This  peculiarity  did  not  escape 
his  own  notice,  and  seemed  to  surprise  and  perplex  him.  He 
often  maintained,  in  a  half  serious,  half  playful  manner,  that  he 
had  no  independent,  personal  and  individual  character  or  in- 
tellect of  his  own,  but  that  he  partially  lost  his  identity  and 
passed  into  the  condition  of  those  with  whom  he  was  in  com- 
munication. 

"  On  one  occasion,  when  he  was  congratulated  on  the  suc- 
cessful part  he  had  taken  in  a  conversation,  when  subjects  of 
an  erudite  and  difficult  nature,  and  entirely  out  of  the  ordinary 
line  of  his  thoughts  and  studies  were  discussed,  he  said:  'I 
don't  know  anything  about  them,  and  did  not  then;  but 
Dodd  and  Lord  were  so  smart  that  they  mesmerized  me.  If 
you  had  seen  me  with  an  idiot,  I  would  have  been  one,  too.  I 
have  always  been  afraid  of  idiots,  for  if  I  were  thrown  with 
them  I  am  sure  I  would  soon  fall  into  their  condition.'  With 
interest  and  even  wonder  it  has  been  observed,  on  a  short  visit 
in  a  family,  how  he  would  captivate  the  servants,  the  little 
children,  the  young  men,  the  young  ladies  and  the  parents,  all 
ahke  and  equally.  Even  where  the  diversities  of  intelligence 
and  disposition  formed  the  most  striking  contrasts,  he  seemed 
as  well  suited  to  one  as  to  the  other,  and  that,  too,  not  as  he 
intimated,  by  a  sacrifice  of  his  own  individuality.     That  was. 


58  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

both  as  to  his  opinions  and  manners,  distinctly  and  decidedly 
preserved.  No  man  ever  imitated  others  less,  and  no  man 
ever  compromised  himself  less.  No  matter  how  complete  the 
adaptation  of  himself  to  others,  or  how  close  the  sympathy  with 
their  emotions  or  intellects,  there  was  always  left  the  distinct 
and  personal  substratum  of  a  manly,  graceful,  generous,  ten- 
der, beautiful  character,  which  was  McPheeters',  and  which  all 
recognized  and  loved. 

"  In  Princeton  the  large  number  of  young  men  in  attend- 
ance in  the  College  and  Seminary,  and  the  limited  number  of 
families  constituting  the  society  of  the  town,  prevented  much 
social  attention  being  extended  to  the  majority  of  the  students. 
Many  of  them  leave  as  much  of  strangers  to  the  citizens  as  when 
they  came.  This  was  not  the  case  with  him.  His  introduc- 
tions into  Princeton  society  were  favorable,  and  in  every 
instance  he  interested  and  attracted  those  with  whom  he  became 
acquainted.  At  Dr.  Alexander's,  Dr.  Dodd's,  Dr.  Henry's.  Dr. 
James  W.  Alexander's,  Dr.  Miller's,  and  especially  at  Dr. 
Hodge's  and  Dr.  Rice's  he  was  a  most  welcome  visitor.  From 
the  writer's  relationship  with  some  of  those  families,  and  acquain- 
tance with  the  others,  the  opportunity  was  afforded  him  of 
knowing  how  much  he  was  esteemed  and  how  highly  his 
society  was  appreciated.  The  pressure  of  the  week's  studies 
was  somewhat  over  by  Friday  night,  and  the  evening  was 
almost  invariably  spent  at  the  parsonage,  where  the  noble- 
natured  and  warm-hearted  old  Doctor  presided  in  his  ample 
armchair ;  and  where  his  eldest  daughter  contributed  her  extra- 
ordinary and  fascinating  powers  of  conversation  to  the  enter- 
tainment of  the  evening ;  his  eldest  son,  Rev.  John  H.  Rice, 
D.  D.,  of  Franklin,  Tenn.,  drew  liberally  from  his  ample  stores 
of  accurate  and  varied  information ;  his  second  son,  A.  A.  Rice, 
M.   D.,  supplied   the  quaint   and   out-of-the-way  information 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  59 

that  other  people  did  not  possess,  with  an  unHmited  amount 
of  appreciative  laughter.  Entire  confidence,  perfect  congeni- 
ality and  sincere  affection  united  the  group.  The  conversa- 
tions took  the  widest  range,  with  the  freest  and  easiest  flow,  as 
philosophy,  theology,  poetry,  art,  general  literature,  anecdote, 
w4t,  humor  and  badinage,  commanded  the  attention  and  ruled 
the  hour.  These  were  to  us  noctes  afubrosionce,  in  which 
McPheeters'  social  nature  reveled  with  peculiar  delight,  and  to 
the  exquisite  pleasure  of  which  he  contributed  so  largely. 

"  An  illustration  of  the  generous  impulses  of  his  heart  and 
the  peculiar  attractiveness  of  his  manner,  by  an  incident  which 
occurred,  is  afforded  during  a  short  stay  in  Staunton,  Va., 
where  he  met  w^ith  Commodore  Skinner,  U.  S.  N.,  and  his 
family.  He  had  taken  up  his  residence  in  Staunton  for  the 
purpose  of  educating,  at  the  State  Asylum,  his  only  daughter, 
who  was  a  deaf  mute.  She  v/as  a  most  lovely,  intelligent  and 
fascinating  girl  of  about  twelve  years  of  age.  ]\Ir.  McPhee- 
ters' sympathies  were  at  once  aroused,  and  a  deep  interest 
excited  for  her.  He  extended  to  her  such  kind,  considerate 
and  delicate  attentions  that  she  became  devotedly  attached 
to  him,  and  ever  after  cherished  for  him  the  greatest  regard. 
She  has  never  forgotten  him,  although  that  interview  of  a  day 
or  two  w^as  all  she  ever  saw  of  him.  He  also  made  a  brief 
visit  to  Lexington  and  its  neighborhood,  where  he  produced  so 
decided  and  so  favorable  an  impression  that  persons  there  love 
him,  and  talk  of  his  visit  to  this  day,  though  many  of  them 
were  never  permitted  to  meet  with  him  again.  His  social 
nature,  indeed,  seemed  to  have  been  complete — an  absolute 
and  perfect  development,  possessed  of  every  attractive  and 
lovely  trait.  It  appeared  to  be  literally  true — '  None  knew  him 
but  to  love  him ;  none  named  him  but  to  praise.' 

"Mr.  McPheeters,  as  his  friends  love  to  remember,  possessed 


6o  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

a  rare  gift  of  original  wit  and  a  peculiar  vein  of  natural  humor, 
which  gave  an  additional  charm  to  his  agreeable  society. 
While  he  indulged  these  dangerous  gifts,  it  was  in  the  most 
innocent  and  playful  manner.  The  shining  arrows  with  which 
his  quiver  was  ever  filled  never  inflicted  a  wound  or  left  a  sting, 
although  they  always  hit  the  mark.  A  few  specimens  of  a 
perfectly  impromptu  character,  which  still  live  in  the  memory, 
may  be  allowed.  Several  of  the  students  were  talking  of  the 
probable  difficulties  they  would  encounter  in  their  future  pulpit 
efforts,  and  one  of  them  remarked,  *I  intend  to  study  the 
Psalms  well,  and  if  I  am  at  a  loss  for  a  sermon  I  will  give  an 
exposition  of  a  Psalm.'  Said  he,  instantly,  'No  matter  where 
I  take  my  text,  I  expect  to  expose  a  Sam  every  time  I  preach.' 

"  On  returning  from  a  visit,  during  vacation,  to  his  home  in 
Raleigh,  N.  C,  he  promptly  called  upon  Dr.  Rice  and  his 
family,  and  in  giving  an  account  of  his  trip,  he  stated  that  he 
had  come  by  Norfolk  and  taken  the  boat  to  Baltimore,  and 
suffered  severe  sickness  from  the  roughness  of  the  bay.  Dr. 
Rice  pleasantly  asked,  '  How  did  you  feel  with  the  sea-sick- 
ness?' Said  he,  '  Doctor,  I  felt  as  if  I  was  living  under  the  old 
Testament  dispensation,  for  I  was  making  heave  offerings  and 
wave  offerings  as  devotedly  as  any  Jew.' 

"Traveling  with  him  by  canal  from  Richmond  to  Scottsville, 
Virginia,  and  anticipating  a  tedious  trip  in  that  now  obsolete 
mode  of  conveyance,  I  had  furnished  myself  with  a  few  vol- 
umes of  light  reading,  and  being  absorbed  in  one  of  them,  the 
conversation  was  interrupted,  so  he  reluctantly  consented  to 
try  one  himself.  It  proved  to  be  one  of  the  last  and  poorest 
of  James'  novels.  After  some  hours  of  reading,  walking  for- 
ward upon  the  deck,  he  was  found  on  the  prow  of  the  boat  and 
near  enough  to  the  surface  of  the  water  to  reach  it  with  his 
hand.     He  appeared   to  be  tired  and  was  yawning,  when  a 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  6 1 

humorous  smile  passed  over  his  face,  and  supposing  himself  to 
be  entirely  alone,  dipped  the  paper-backed  volume  into  the 
canal,  and  as  he  shook  the  water  out  of  its  pages  and  turned 
again  to  read,  he  said,  addressing  the  book,  '  Well,  I  do  hope 
you  will  not  be  quite  as  dry  now  as  you  have  been.'  Startled 
by  a  laugh,  he  blushed  with  as  much  confusion  as  a  modest 
girl. 

"  Not  unfrequently  the  writer  was  the  target  for  the  shining 
but  bloodless  arrows  of  his  wit.  Our  intercourse  and  our  dis- 
positions were  such  that  we  permitted  each  other  the  largest 
liberty  of  attack,  and  kept  up  a  sort  of  continual  '  free  fight,' 
as  opportunity  offered.  I  awakened  one  morning  suffering 
from  headache  and  nausea,  caused  by  a  temporary  attack  of 
dyspepsia,  which  kept  me  from  breakfast  and  recitation.  There 
had  been  some  cases  of  typhoid  fever  of  a  malignant  type,  and 
I  was  apprehensive  that  I  had  symptoms  of  that  disease.  I 
talked  a  good  deal  about  it,  and  was  quite  low  spirited  until 
near  noon,  when  the  headache  passed  off,  leaving  a  sharp 
appetite  for  dinner.  At  the  table  McPheeters,  who  sat  oppo- 
site, said,  in  a  tone  of  great  sympathy  and  tenderness,  '  You 
were  quite  sick  to-day.  Lacy,  and  seemed  to  think  you  would 
have  typhoid  fever.  I  suppose  you  expect  to  be  sick  a  lo?ig 
time,  from  the  large  amount  of  provisions  you  are  laying  up 
for  it.' 

"Several  of  'our  set'  were  engaged  in  conversation  in  our 
room,  I  being  absent.  At  a  turn  in  the  conversation  some 
word  or  expression  suggested  an  indifferent  pun  or  an  obvious 
and  very  commonplace  witticism.  McPheeters,  who  saw  it, 
exclaimed,  '  Now,  if  Lacy  were  here  he  would  say  so  and  so, 
and  to  test  it  I  will  call  him  in.'  I  came,  in  my  innocency,  at 
the  summons,  and  as  the  parties  repeated  their  remarks,  just  as 
he  had  predicted,  I  fell  into  the  trap  and  ^dX^  precisely  what  he 


62  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

declared  I  would  say.  His  triumph  was  complete  and  his 
enjoyment  great. 

"  I  had,  in  company  with  Wm.  M.  Scott,  taken  an  interesting 
trip,  during  a  vacation,  up  the  Hudson,  on  Lake  Champlain 
(from  Burlington  by  Montpelier,  Hanover,  the  seat  of  Dart- 
mouth College,  the  commencement  of  which  we  attended),  and 
then  by  Concord,  Lowell,  Boston,  Providence  and  New  York 
City,  home.  We  had  met  with  quite  a  variety  of  interesting 
incidents  and  remarkable  characters,  which  furnished  occa- 
sional topics  of  conversation  for  months  of  the  session.  I 
made  the  most  of  it,  and  called  it  '  my  grand  tour.'  For  a 
long  time  afterward  whenever  there  was  lack  of  interest  or  of 
topics  in  our  conversation,  McPheeters  would  say,  '  Come, 
Lacy,  here  is  a  good  chance  for  you  to  put  another  story  upon 
that  grand  tower  of  yours.  I  don't  think  it  is  more  than  fif- 
teen stories  high.' 

"  In  the  intercourse  of  after  years,  often  interrupted  by  time 
and  distance,  but  frequently  renewed,  the  same  traits  which 
marked  his  life  at  the  Seminary  exhibited  themselves  in  the 
matured  man  and  the  experienced  minister.  There  was  al- 
ways a  wonderful  intermingling  of  the  serious  and  the  playful, 
the  pathetic  and  the  humorous.  The  peculiar  features  of  the 
intercourse  at  the  Seminary,  doubtless,  gave  to  these  inter- 
views a  larger  element  of  the  anecdotal  than  exhibited  itself 
in  general  society.  His  ordinary  deportment  was  easy,  digni- 
fied and  serious,  and  very  far  removed  from  flippancy  or  levity. 
From  a  number  of  interviews  which  live  in  the  memory,  and 
on  which  the  mind  dwells  with  peculiar  delight,  one  or  two 
may  be  introduced  :  He  was  in  attendance  on  the  assembly, 
which  met  at  Indianapolis,  as  a  visitor.  Opportunity  was  thus 
afforded,  in  the  intervals  of  interesting  discussions,  for  long 
walks  and  confidential  conversation.     The  past  was  reviewed 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  6;^ 

and  the  providences  of  God  during  the  years  of  separation  re- 
counted. He  had  been  happy  and  successful  in  his  pastoral 
work  in  St.  Louis,  happy  in  his  family  and  happy  in  his  friends, 
and  was  bright  and  cheerful,  full  of  hope  and  full  of  energy. 
He  was  deeply  interested  in  the  progress  of  the  West,  the 
growth  of  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  the  affairs  of  the  Church,  and 
the  interests  of  Westminster  College — all  the  evidences  were 
furnished  of  a  matured  character,  and  of  a  higlily  intellectual  and 
moral  development.  It  was  evident,  too,  that  he  had  lost  none 
of  his  characteristic  humor  and  talent  for  anecdote.  A  wide 
and  varied  experience  had  embraced  many  amusing  incidents 
and  added  largely  to  the  old  stock  of  anecdotes.  A  fair  ex- 
change was  made,  which,  in  that  case,  was  no  robbery,  as  the 
supply  of  each  had  been  about  doubled. 

"  It  will  be  recalled  with  pleasure  by  a  congenial  group  of  min- 
isters, who  were  also  visitors  at  the  Assembly,  how,  on  an  occa- 
sion when  the  supply  of  anecdotes  was  exhausted  with  the  rest 
of  the  company,  McPheeters  brought  out  his  reserve  forces, 
and  related  two  of  the  most  dramatic  and  charmingly  amusing 
stories  ever  heard — gem.s  of  the  first  water — worthy  of  the 
Orient,  and  both,  too,  incidents  of  his  own  personal  experi- 
ence. Those  who  heard  him  will  never  forget  his  account  of 
the  'coat'  in  which  he  once  preached,  and  his  first  and  last 
attempt  to  administer  baptism  by  immersion.  The  pen  is 
tempted  to  reproduce  them,  but  the  tone,  the  accent,  the  ex- 
pression and  the  inimitable  manner  are  all  beyond  its  power. 

"  His  fund  of  anecdote  was  very  great  and  his  manner  of 
relating  a  story  unsurpassed ;  but  he  was  never  betrayed  into 
the  common  and  most  objectionable  fault  of  admitting  anything 
indelicate  or  irreverent  in  its  character.  His  humorous  and  en- 
tertaining stories  were  all  suited  to  the  parlor  and  fitted  for  the 
ears  of  the  sensitive  and  the  refined.     On  that  subject,  as  upon 


64  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

all  others,  his  conscience  was  his  faithful  monitor,  and  he  was 
ever  scrupulous  to  obey  its  instructions  and  to  heed  its  warn- 
ings. 

"  Almost  ten  years  passed  a\vay  before  another  interview — 
years  of  darkness,  of  dissension  and  of  war  in  the  land — and, 
to  him,  years  of  perplexity,  persecution,  sorrow  and  disease. 
The  manly  and  graceful  form  was  bent  by  a  painful  spinal  cur- 
vature, was  worn  to  emaciation,  and  was  prostrate  upon  a 
couch,  where  he  had  been  confined  for  two  years.  His  face 
was  thin  and  marked  with  the  lines  of  care  and  suffering ;  his 
hair  and  beard,  once  a  dark  and  beautiful  brown,  were  turning 
white.  His  whole  appearance  made  a  deep  and  affecting  im- 
pression upon  the  sensibilities  of  the  beholder.  He  was,  how- 
ever, stronger  and  more  comfortable  than  his  appearance  indi- 
cated. Perfectly  resigned  to  his  Heavenly  Father's  will,  he 
was  calm,  brave,  cheerful  and  happy.  The  conversations  for 
several  days  together  were  continued  and  most  interesting, 
embracing  a  wide  range  of  topics — providential  dealings,  re- 
ligious experience,  opinions,  sentiments,  trials,  triumphs  and 
future  hopes,  all  passed  in  review.  Not  unfrequently  the  old 
humorous  way  would  return,  and  he  would  call  for  some  favor- 
ite anecdote  or  demand  a  new  one ;  nor  would  he  hesitate  to 
narrate,  with  all  his  former  zest,  some  amusing  incident  which 
had  not  before  been  heard.  The  opportunity  was  afforded  on- 
Sabbath  for  witnessing  the  remarkable  service,  which  was  after- 
ward transferred  to  the  Church.  His  chamber  and  the  adja- 
cent hall  were  filled  with  the  members  of  his  congregation, 
composed  chiefly  of  the  young,  with  whom  he  engaged  in  most 
delightful  religious  exercises,  embracing  most  of  the  best  ele- 
ments of  the  Bible  class,  prayer-meeting  and  lecture.  It  was 
easily  understood  how  the  most  blessed  results  had  followed 
from  these  able,  instructive  and  most  interesting  services.     His 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  65 

prayers  were  especially  impressive  from  their  spirituality,  fervor, 
humility,  pensive  beauty  and  touching  pathos.  There  is  a 
strong  temptation  to  enter  more  fully  into  the  details  of  that 
wonderful  life  at  Mulberry,  and  to  describe  the  man  of  God  as 
he  rested  submissively  under  his  Heavenly  Father's  afflictive 
hand,  surrounded  by  a  devoted  people,  and  nursed  by  the 
loving  care  of  a  faithful  wife  and  affectionate  children ;  but  that 
is  the  appropriate  task  of  his  biographer,  and  to  one  having 
such  opportunities  and  so  well  qualified  the  precious  work 
may  be  safely  entrusted.  To  the  same  hands  are  committed 
all  that  might  be  said  in  regard  to  his  visit  to  St.  Louis  and  his 
stay  of  a  month  among  his  dear  friends  at  the  house  of  his 
brother,  as  well  as  the  mournful  and  interesting  scene  when  his 
precious  dust  was  laid  in  its  resting  place  in  Bellefontaine  Ceme- 
tery; nor  will  a  portrait  of  his  character  be  here  attempted. 
His  leading  characteristic  was  his  faith,  his  crowning  excel- 
lence was  his  humble,  devoted  piety.  He  ever  sought  to  se- 
cure the  same  mind  in  himself  which  was  in  Christ  Jesus  his 
Lord.  Love  to  God  and  love  to  his  fellow  men  were  the  con- 
trolling principles  of  his  life,  and  these  enabled  him  so  well  to 
act  his  part  in  life  and  to  approach  so  near  to  the  fulfilling  of 
the  law. 

"  He  was  brought  by  grace  and  sufferings  to  the  possession 
of  a  heavenly  mind — for  whatsoever  things  were  true,  whatso- 
ever things  were  honest,  whatsover  things  were  just,  whatso- 
ever things  were  lovely,  whatsoever  things  were  of  good  report 
— if  there  were  any  virtue,  and  if  there  were  any  praise,  he 
thought  on  those  things.  To  him  rather  than  to  any  man  we 
have  known  may  be  applied  the  apostoHc  description  of  that 
ayaTTT] — that  holy  love.  '  He  suffered  long  and  was  kind,  he 
envied  not,  he  vaunted  not  himself,  he  was  not  puffed  up,  he 
did  not  behave  himself  unseemly,  he  sought  not  his  own,  he 
S 


66  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

was  not  easily  provoked,  he  thought  no  evil,  he  rejoiced  not 
in  iniquity,  but  rejoiced  in  the  truth.  He  bore  all  things,  he 
believed  all  things,  he  hoped  all  things,  he  endured  all  things.' 
" '  He  fought  the  good  fight,  he  finished  his  course,  he  kept 
the  faith ;  hence  there  was  laid  up  for  him  a  crown  of  righte- 
ousness, which  the  righteous  Judge  hath  given  him.'  " 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pKEETERS,    D.  D.  67 


CHAPTER    lY. 

INVITATION  TO  VIRGINIA MINISTRY  TO    THE  COLORED  PEOPLE. 

Mr.  McPheeters,  as  has  already  appeared  in  the  Diary,  enter- 
tained a  desire,  even  while  in  the  Seminary,  to  make  "full  proof 
of  his  ministry  "  first  among  the  colored  people.  Immediately 
after  his  licensure  the  opportunity  occurred ;  and  in  reference 
to  the  call,  settlement  and  labors  in  Nottaway  and  Amelia, 
Dr.  Pryor  furnishes  the  following  particulars  : 

"  The  Presbytery  of  East  Hanover,  determined  to  make  a 
faithful  effort  for  the  religious  instruction  of  the  colored  people, 
appointed  a  committee,  of  which  I  was  chairman,  charged  with 
the  duty  of  securing  a  suitable  preacher.  A  correspondence 
with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Archibald  Alexander,  of  Princeton,  brought 
to  our  view  Mr.  Samuel  B.  McPheeters,  at  that  time  a  student 
in  the  Seminary.  My  impression  is  that  Mr.  McPheeters  came 
to  us  a  licentiate  of  Orange  Presbytery,  N.  C.  He  commenced 
his  labors  as  a  preacher  to  the  colored  people  of  the  counties 
of  Amelia  and  Nottaway  some  time  in  the  year  1846.  He 
lived  at  '  Mountain  Hall/  the  residence  of  Dr.  James  Jones, 
an  elder  in  the  Nottaway  church. 

Mr.  McPheeters  adopted  the  system  of  plantation  preaching 
during  the  week,  and  gathered  the  colored  people  in  some 
church  on  the  Sabbath.  He  was  diligent,  faithful  and  very 
acceptable  in  his  work.  No  man  could  have  been  more  popu- 
lar among  the  people  of  his  charge.  All  persons,  white  and 
black,  esteemed  him  most  highly  and  were  sincerely  attached 
to  him.  His  habits  of  social  intercourse  were  so  remarkably 
pleasant  that  he  was  a  welcome  guest  in  every  family. 


68  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

"  After  laboring  most  diligently  in  his  appropriate  work  for 
about  eighteen  months,  having  been  invited  to  take  charge  of 
the  Ameha  church,  he  determined  to  do  so.  On  Sunday, 
June  lo,  1848,  at  Chinquepin  church,  in  the  county  of  Amelia, 
he  v/as  solemnly  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry by  the  Presbytery  of  East  Hanover. 

"  On  that  occasion  Rev.  H.  V.  D.  Nevius  presided  and  pro- 
posed the  constitutional  questions.  Rev.  T.  Pryor  preached 
the  sermon  and  delivered  the  charge  to  the  evangelist.  Rev.  J. 
D.  Dudley  made  the  ordaining  prayer.  In  due  time  Mr.  Mc- 
Pheeters  received  a  regular  call  to  the  pastorship  of  the  Amelia 
church,  which,  however,  he  never  saw  his  way  clear  to  acccDt. 
I  think  his  labors  in  Amelia  extended  over  two  years.  During 
the  whole  period  of  his  ministry,  both  in  Nottaway  and  Amelia, 
he  was  universally  acceptable  to  all  classes,  white  and  black, 
rich  and  poor.  The  Church  in  Amelia  did  all  in  their  power 
to  retain  him ;  but  having  received  a  call  to  Missouri,  he  felt  it 
his  duty  to  go.  The  people  within  and  without  the  Church 
parted  with  him  most  reluctantly.  For  myself,  I  have  to  say 
that  through  a  ministerial  life  now  not  far  from  forty  years  in 
duration  I  have  never  met  with  a  man  whom  I  more  sincerely 
esteemed'  or  more  cordially  loved." 

Reference  will  once  more  be  made  to  the  diary: 

"On  the  1st  of  September,  1846,  I  left  Raleigh  for  the 
county  of  Nottaway,  Va.,  in  compliance  with  a  call  from  East 
Hanover  Presbytery,  through  a  committee  appointed  for  that 
purpose,  to  labor  as  a  missionary  among  the  blacks  of  that  and 
the  adjoining  county  of  Amelia.  When  I  arrived  in  the  county 
I  found  Mr.  Pryor  from  home  and  sick,  and  being  entirely  un- 
acquainted with  any  one  else,  I  found  myself  at  a  loss  what  to 
do.  Next  day  being  the  day  of  the  county  court,  I  hired  a 
horse  and  visited  the  seat  of  justice,  in  hopes  of  meeting  some 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    M'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  69 

one  whom  I  should  know  or  might  get  acquainted  with.  I 
made  the  acquaintance  of  Captain  Richard  Jones,  ]Mr.  Booth 
and  Robert  Fitzgerald.  In  a  short  time  Mr.  Pryor  returned ; 
but  the  county  was  so  sickly — there  hardly  being  a  family  in 
which  there  was  not  more  than  half  the  number  down  with 
chills  and  fever — that,  upon  the  advice  of  Mr.  Pryor,  I  deter- 
mined to  go  up  to  Prince  Edward's  and  remain  at  the  Seminary 
until  the  meeting  of  Presbytery,  in  Brunswick  county,  the  first 
of  October. 

"Taking  the  stage  at  Black's-and- White's,  I  rode  all  night, 
and  next  morning  found  myself  at  Farmville;  thence  taking 
another  stage,  I  was  put  down  within  about  a  mile  of  the  Semi- 
nary. During  my  stay  at  the  Seminary  I  w^as  very  kindly  urged 
by  Dr.  Graham  to  remain  with  him,  v>^hich  I  did.  The  com- 
mencement at  Hampden  Sidney  came  off  while  I  was  in  Prince 
Edward's.  We  had  speeches  from  Mr.  Tazewell,  M.  D.  Hoge 
and  President  Garland,  of  Randolph-]Macon  College. 

"  ]\Iy  stay  at  the  Seminary  was  a  very  pleasant  one.  Leav- 
ing the  town  of  Farmville,  I  came  down  to  Nottaway,  by  stage, 
in  company  with  IMr.  Gildersleeve  and  a  Mr.  Kirkpatrick. 
From  Black's-and- White's,  where  the  stage  stopped,  ISIr.  Gil- 
dersleeve and  myself  walked  over  to  Mr.  Pryor's,  at  which 
place  we  were  joined,  in  a  day  or  two,  by  Hoge ;  and  all  of  us 
in  a  few  days  went  over  to  the  meeting  of  Presbytery,  in 
Brunswick,  at  Concord  Church,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Galbraith.  The  meeting  was  a  small  one,  owing  to 
various  causes.  At  this  meeting  I  made  arrangements  to  en- 
gage in  the  missionary  work  before  mentioned,  under  the 
direction  of  the  committee  of  Presbytery. 

''Since  my  return  from  Presbytery  I  have  been  making  what 
preparations  I  have  been  able  for  the  prosecution  of  my  work. 
After  consultation  with  Bro.  Pryor  it  was  thought  best  to  con- 


yo  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

fine  my  labors  to  this  county  almost  exclusively,  rather  than,  by 
extending  them  into  Amelia,  make  the  whole  plan  ineffectual 
by  embracing  too  large  a  territory. 

"  The  first  of  November  I  came  into  the  family  of  Dr.  James 
Jones  to  live,  and  having  visited  most  of  the  Presbyterian  fam- 
ilies, and  made  such  arrangements  as  suggested  themselves, 
I  will  begin  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  December  my  regular  cir- 
cuit. I  have  preached,  since  my  arrival  in  the  county,  five 
times  for  Bro.  Pryor,  three  times  in  the  Chapel,  two  funeral 
sermons,  and  twice  to  Dr.  Jones'  negroes.  The  prospect  for  the 
work  is,  upon  the  whole,  encouraging.  In  the  week  ending 
December  13,  1846,  on  Saturday,  noon,  I  left  this  place  for  Mr. 
Freeman  Eppes',  fifteen  miles  distant,  where  I  spent  the  night, 
and  remained  until  about  ten  o'clock  next  morning.  Was  very 
kindly  entertained  by  Mrs.  E.,  in  the  absence  of  her  husband. 
Sunday  morning  proved  to  be  dark  and  cloudy,  but  having 
made  the  appointment  to  preach  at  Shiloh  Church,  two  miles 
and  a  half  below,  I  set  out  for  the  meeting  in  a  slight  rain,  and 
found  a  better  congregation  than  I  had  expected,  although  not 
very  large.  Mr.  Wm.  Bland,  his  wife  and  mother,  were 
among  my  auditors.  I  addressed  the  assembly  from  John  xii. 
2 1 — '  Sir,  we  would  see  Jesus ; '  and  took  occasion  to  make 
some  remarks  suited  to  a  funeral  discourse  of  five  of  Mr.  Eppes' 
negroes.  In  this  section  of  country  every  person  dying  must 
have  a  funeral  discourse  preached  over  them,  if  it  should  be  ten 
years  after  the  event.  This  is  only  advantageous  in  one  re- 
spect :  it  gives  an  opportunity  of  preaching  the  Gospel.  The 
audience  was  generally  attentive.  After  sermon  I  went  home 
with  Mr.  Bland,  I  had  some  religious  conversation  with  Mr. 
Bland.  Although  not  a  member  of  the  Church,  I  hope  he  is  a 
Christian,  and  judge  that  he  intends  soon  to  connect  himself 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  7I 

"  Monday ;  still  rainy,  or  rather  a  heavy  mist  and  cold  north- 
east wind ;  after  breakfast  set  out  for  ]\Ir.  Wills',  eight  miles 
distant;  reached  there  about  eleven  o'clock.  Mr.  AVills  is  an 
elder;  seems  to  be  a  kind  man  and  consistent  Christian. 
Preached  to  his  servants,  in  his  hall,  some  ten  or  twelve  in 
number,  from  the  parable  of  the  Sower,  Mark  iv.  The  object 
of  this  discourse,  which  I  preach  at  all  the  plantations  this 
week,  was  to  show  the  importance  of  the  proper  attendance 
on  the  preaching  of  the  Word.  Tuesday  was  a  warm,  clear, 
spring-like  day,  until  about  noon,  Avhen  it  began  to  rain.  Left 
Mr.  Wills'  at  nine  o'clock,  and  reached  ^Mr.  Boothe's  by  eleven; 
Mr.  B.  from  home;  remained  there  until  next  morning;  preached 
to  his  people,  thirty  or  forty  I  judge,  in  his  basement  story, 
by  candle  light ;  Mr.  Archer  Jones,  brother  of  Mrs.  B.,  and 
the  other  members  of  the  White  family,  present.  i^Ir.  Boothe's 
is  nearly  ten  miles  from  Taylor  AVills'.  AVednesday,  a  disagree- 
able morning,  but  no  rain  until  the  afternoon.  Left  Mr.  B.'s 
about  9  a.  m.,  and  reached  Captain  R.  Jones' about  10:30,  four 
miles  and  a  half  from  ;Mr.  B.'s  ;  preached  to  his  servants  about 
twelve,  in  school  house;  ]Mrs.  ^Morton,  ^Nliss  Walker  and  Miss 
Eleanor  Jones  present.  Thursday  morning,  rainy ;  did  not 
leave  Captain  Jones'  until  nearly  one,  the  rain  having  held  up, 
for  Freeman  Eppes',  three  miles  distant ;  preached  in  his  dining 
room,  basement  story,  immediately  after  dinner ;  remained  until 
nine  next  morning ;  rode  to  Blacks-and- Whites  on  some  busi- 
ness ;  there  received  a  letter  from  my  friend,  J.  H.  Rice,  New 
Orleans,  containing  an  invitation  to  preach  on  the  plantation 
of  Mrs.  Ogden,  of  Louisiana,  living  several  miles  from  Grand 
Gulf.  Mrs.  O.  appears  very  anxious  to  procure  a  minister,  as 
she  offered  me  eight  hundred  dollars,  board,  horse,  &:c.  I  will 
not,  of  course,  leave  my  present  situation.  Returned  to  ^Ir. 
Pryor's  and  took  dinner,  immediately  after  which,  2  p.  m.,  set 


72  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

out  for  this  place,  and  reached  it  just  as  the  sun  was  setting ; 
the  roads  very  muddy ;  my  labors  I  find  to  be  very  arduous  in 
the  uncertain  state  of  the  weather;  upon  the  whole,  encour- 
aged; the  planters  give  me  all  the  assistance  I  expected,  and 
the  servants  generally  attentive. 

"Dec.  2ist. — By  previous  appointment  I  preached  in  the 
Baptist  church  called-  Nottaway,  on  Sabbath  last,  to  a  mixed 
congregation,  principally  negroes;  had  a  larger  number  out 
than  I  have  had  on  any  previous  occasion.  The  Baptist 
brethren  have  kindly  permitted  me  to  preach  in  their  church. 
My  text  was,  Heb.  xi.  13,  last  clause — 'Life  as  a" pilgrimage.' 
The  audience  generally  attentive  and  silent.  Returned  home 
to  dinner,  and  after  supper  preached  to  Dr.  Jones'  negroes  in 
his  old  dining-room — Mark  iv. 

"  On  Monday  was  to  have  gone  to  Crawley  Jones',  but  at 
his  request  postponed  it  until  Friday.  Tuesday  preached  on 
the  plantations  of  Wm.  Ward,  Robt.  Ward  and  Mrs.  Ward,  in 
the  shed  of  the  barn ;  congregation  large  and  attentive.  Next 
day  went  down  to  see  Captain  Perkinson,  in  Amelia,  intending 
to  return  the  next  day,  but  it  rained  furiously.  Friday  went  to 
C.  Jones'  and  preached  to  his  negroes  and  part  of  Wm.  and 
Robt.  Ward's. 

"Third  Week  in  December. — Sunday  preached  at  the 
chapel,  which  has  been  for  some  time  the  colored  church.  It 
was  built  by  Robert  Fitzgerald  for  this  purpose,  on  his  land. 
Found  no  one  assembled,  and  at  first  gave  up  the  idea  of 
preaching;  but  concluded  to  do  so,  as  a  few  assembled.  Text : 
Heb.  xi. — '  Stranger  and  pilgrim.  Went  from  church  to  Bro. 
Pryor's;  remained  there  Monday.  Tuesday  preached  for 
Robt.  Fitzgerald's  negroes.  These  people  have  a  strong  dis- 
position to  shout.  Wednesday  went  to  Colonel  Wm.  Knight's; 
stayed  there  until  Thursday  evening. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  73 

"January,  1847;  second  week. — Tuesday  preached  at  Mr. 
Ward's  quarter,  in  the  barn,  to  a  pretty  good  congregation ; 
but  it  was  very  cold — so  much  so  that  I  could  hardly  command 
my  voice.  Tuesday  evening  I  preached  again  to  Dr.  Jones' 
negroes. 

"  Fourth  week  in  January. — On  Saturday  morning  went 
to  court  house,  expecting  to  hear  the  trial  of  Bob  for  killing 
Mr.  Robinson;  but  not  a  sufficient  number  of  magistrates 
present.  Continued  on  to  Mrs.  Fanny  Eppes';  roads  in  a 
wretched  condition — half  frozen  mud  and  snow.  Took  dinner 
with  Ero.  Pryor  and  family.  After  dinner  went  to  Capt.  Jones'. 
Sunday  preached  at  Shiloh;  a  pretty  good  congregation;  sub- 
ject. Repentance;  returned  and  dined  with  Capt.  Jones; 
rode  to  Butt's ;  preached  after  tea.  Next  morning  rode  over  to 
T.  Will's ;  preached  at  twelve  o'clock,  dined  and  returned  to 
Capt.  Jones' ;  preached  that  night ;  next  morning  rode  over  to 
Freeman  Eppes' ;  preached  at  3  p.  :\i,  and  rode  to  Mrs.  Fanny 
Eppes' ;  next  morning  set  out  for  home ;  stopped  at  the  court 
house  to  converse  with  Bob :  found  him  ignorant,  but  distressed 
on  the  subject  of  religion;  returned  home.  By  appointment 
went  to  Capt.  Perkinson's,  in  Amelia;  preached  there  on  Sat- 
urday night.  Sunday  morning  rode  up  to  Mt.  Zion  and 
preached  —  Parable  of  the  Builders;  congregation  a  pretty 
good  one,  and  the  prospects  encouraging. 

"Feb.  21ST-27TH. — Dark,  misty,  disagreeable  day  was 
Sunday,  but  concluded  to  go  down  to  the  chapel  and  preach,  if 
there  should  be  a  congregation  (there  are  generally  enough 
present  to  report  that  the  preacher  was  not  there) ;  the  ride  a 
very  disagreeable  one;  found  a  few  at  the  chapel  and  more 
coming  in. ;  preached  on  Noah's  building  the  ark ;  went  down 
to  Bro.  Pryor's  and  spent  the  night  and  part  of  next  day  with 
him.     That  evening  (Monday)  went  to  Robt.  Fitzgerald's  and 


74  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

/ 

preached  to  his  people;  next  mornmg  rode  to  Colonel  Wm. 
Knight's  and  preached,  after  dark,  to  his  people  in  his  hall. 
Wednesday  rode  over  to  Col.  Knight's,  Sr.,  distant  five  miles, 
and  preached  to  his  family ;  Bro.  Pryor  met  me  there.  Per- 
haps less  encouragement  in  this  neighborhood  than  any  other. 
"  Feb.  28 — March  6. — I  had  made  an  appointment  to 
preach  on  Saturday  at  12  o'clock  at  Mrs.  Eppes',  but  it  rained 
so  hard  that  I  was  prevented  from  going.  After  dinner  it  was 
somewhat  more  pleasant,  and  I  set  out  for  Col.  Eppes'  and 
spent  the  night  with  him;  the  roads — mud!  mud!!  mud!!! 
Next  morning  set  out  for  Shiloh,  which  I  reached  about  12 
o'clock ;  found  a  pretty  good  congregation  in  attendance  and 
every  attention.  I  hope  good  will  be  done  among  this  people. 
I  felt  more  liberty  in  preaching  than  usual.  After  sermon 
went  to  Capt.  Jones'  and  took  dinner.  About  3  o'clock  set 
out  for  Mr.  Boothe's ;  the  day  has  been  very  cold,  windy  and 
disagreeable;  preached  at  night  to  Mr.  Boothe's  family;  the 
congregation  appeared  to  be  heavy  and  listless.  Monday 
morning  I  rode  over  to  Taylor  Wills' ;  was  encouraged  to  find 
he  had  erected  a  chapel  in  conjunction  with  Mr.  McQuay,  and 
hereafter  I  am  to  preach  in  that.  Same  evening  I  returned  to 
Capt.  Jones'  and  preached  for  his  people ;  the  congregation 
very  solemn  and  attentive.  From  Capt.  Jones'  rode  over  to 
IMr.  Freeman  Eppes'  and  spent  the  day  with  him ;  quite  sick  in 
the  evening,  but  made  out  to  preach  after  supper.  Set  out 
next  morning  for  home,  and  reached  here  after  12  o'clock." 
Rev.  D.  W.  Shanks,  of  Falling  Spring,  Ya.,  remarks : 
"  He  Avas,  as  far  as  I  know,  universally  loved  and  admired 
as  a  man  and  a  preacher.  He  had  no  enemies.  I  have  heard 
that  his  preaching  did  more  to  attract  attention  to  and  build 
up  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Amelia  than  the  labors  of  any 
one  else.     He  gave  Presbyterianism  a  start  there.     His  social 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  75 

popularity  and  his  pulpit  performance  drew  many  to  hear  him 
who  before  never  entered  a  Presbyterian  Church.  Of  the 
actual  increase  in  numbers  of  the  Church  while  he  ministered 
there  I  am  not  informed.  ]My  impression  is  that  there  was  not 
a  large  accession  to  the  membership  during  his  ministry.  The 
Church,  however,  became  influential  and  popular,  and  the  way 
was  opened  for  its  enlargement  under  his  successors.  He  left 
there  for  St.  Louis  when  his  prospects  for  usefulness  were 
greatest,  and  his  labors  would  have  soon  issued  in  abundant 
fruit.  His  name  is  mentioned  now,  by  those  who  knew  him, 
with  a  peculiar  affection.  I  believe  the  love  of  his  friends  there 
for  him  was  more  tender  and  affectionate  than  that  which 
ministers  generally  enjoy.  He  was  exceedingly  popular  as 
a  preacher  among  the  blacks.  He  was  considered  in  that 
section  to  be  tlie  greatest  preacher  for  negroes  that  ever  lived. 
I  suppose  few  men  understood  so  well  the  negro  character  and 
could  adapt  themselves  so  readily  to  its  idiosyncrasies.  In 
his  sermons  to  them  he  abounded  in  illustrations  and  generally 
gained  and  kept  their  attention  without  interruption,  and  yet 
did  and  said  nothing  unbecoming  the  place  or  the  master.  He 
treated  them  with  politeness  and  kindness,  and  had  their  entire 
confidence. 

"  I  can  tell  you  a  little  anecdote  which  he  related  to  me, 
which  will  illustrate  the  confidence  and  love  of  the  negroes  for 
him.  There  was  an  old  negro,  named  Hampton  (who  died 
while  I  was  pastor),  who  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  in  every  respect  a  worthy  one.  He  was  unusually 
intelligent  and  had  great  influence  over  the  blacks.  When 
Mr.  McPheeters  had  accepted  the  ca.ll  to  St.  Louis,  and  the 
night  before  he  left  the  county,  after  he  had  parted  with  the 
family  with  whom  he  was  staying  and  retired  to  his  room,  old 
Hampton  went  up  to  say  good-bye.     With  great  earnestness 


76  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

he  remonstrated  against  ]\Ir.  McPheeters  leaving  them.  But 
finding  that  nothing  availed,  he  took  him  by  the  hand  with 
great  tenderness  and  said :  '  Good-bye,  Mas  Mac ;  the  Lord 
sent  you  to  us,  but  I  am  mightily  afi-aid  the  devil  is  taking  you 
away.'  McPheeters  said  this  hurt  him,  and  staggered  him 
more  than  everything  else  said  to  him  by  his  fi'iends  there. 

"  He  had  the  uncommon  talent  of  simplifying  the  truth  in 
such  a  way  that  these  people  understood  him.  That  old  man 
Hampton  had  as  clear  an  idea  of  salvation — yes  clearer,  I  was 
about  to  say — than  six-tenths  of  the  white  Christians.  It  was 
a  real  pleasure  to  me  to  talk  with  him.  So  well  assured  was  I 
of  the  genuineness  of  his  piety  and  the  excellency  of  his  life 
that  for  his  funeral  sermon  I  took  Heb.  vi.  12,  and  held  him 
up  as  an  example  to  the  flock.  I  have  no  doubt  that  his  clear 
views  of  the  plan  of  salvation  were  traceable  to  IMcPheeters' 
instruction. 

"  McPheeters  had  a  great  influence  over  the  young,  especially 
young  men.  He  was  so  social  and  accessible  that  they  felt  at 
home  with  him,  and  he  was  so  gentle,  kind  and  loving  that  he 
won  their  hearts.  Indeed,  no  class  could  resist  his  attractions. 
There  were  two  gentlemen  in  Amelia  (one  of  whom  I  knew) 
who  were  highly  cultivated,  professional  men,  but  irreligious, 
and  yet  these  men  sought  his  company  and  would  talk  with 
him  for  hours.  And  although  he  was  thus  familiar  and  jovial 
with  these  irreligious  people,  he  never  lost  their  respect  and 
they  never  forgot  that  he  was  a  minister.  He  had  the  happy 
faculty  of  rebuking  offenders  without  giving  oflense.  He  told 
me  once  a  little  incident  that  happened  while  in  Amelia  which 
would  illustrate  this'  if  I  could  recall  it  in  detail.  A  young 
lady  behaved  very  unseemly  at  church  while  he  was  preaching. 
Some  time  after  he  met  her  at  a  party.  He  proceeded  to 
relate  a  parallel  case  and  got  her  to  commit  herself,  and  then 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  77 

applied  it.  It  was  all  done  so  good  humoredly,  and  was  such 
a  happy  hit,  that  the  young  lady  could  not  take  offense,  while 
she  and  others  could  not  but  laugh.  She  acknowledged  in- 
genuously her  fault,  and  ever  after  was  a  reformed  person  in 
church.  I  have  no  doubt  that  Lacy  can  give  you  the  anecdote 
in  full.  I  believe  the  incident  of  the  dialogue  which  he  held 
with  his  conscience  about  shutting  a  farm  gate  happened  in 
Amelia.  Lacy  knows  this,  and  it  will  iUustrate  his  exceeding 
conscientiousness,  whilst  his  attempt  to  baptize  by  dipping 
(which  I  have  heard  a  friend  of  his,  and  an  irreligious  man, 
there  relate)  will  illustrate  another  feature  in  his  character,  to- 
wit:  that  in  matters  indifferent,  where  his  conscience  was  not 
engaged,  he  was  ready,  for  the  gospel's  sake,  to  become  to  the 
weak  as  weak,  and  to  be  made  all  things  to  all  men,  that  he 
might  by  all  means  save  some.  This  anecdote  Lacy  can  also 
tell  you. 

"  After  his  removal  to  St.  Louis  he  returned  once  to  Amelia 
and  preached.  I  have  been  told  that,  after  service,  the  people 
gathered  about  him  and  offered  him  such  tributes  of  tender 
love  as  have  rarely  been  witnessed.  Indeed,  as  I  said  before, 
he  had  no  enemies,  and  warmer  friends  no  man  could  count. 
The  tongue  which  covered  the  character  of  all  others  with  its 
foul  slime  only  uttered  his  praise." 

Here  was  a  minister  qualified  to  fill  exalted  station,  who, 
in  the  vigor  of  young  manhood,  devoted  himself,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  others  of  like  mind,  to  the  religious  necessities  of  the 
humble  blacks.  In  the  Carolinas,  under  burning  suns  and 
amid  blinding  sands,  toiled  the  steadfast  Jones,  while  on  the 
Virginia  plantations,  through  "mud,  mud,  mud,"  tramped  the 
pure-minded  McPheeters,  "  with  a  soul  as  great  as  Caesar's." 
Day  alter  day,  hot  or  cold,  wet  or  dry,  the  heroic  two  were  at 
veritable  work  to  save  the  poor  negro,  and  with  small  pay,  or 


78  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

prospect  of  pay,  that  men  could  see.  And,  furthermore,  it  was 
noted  by  niany,  that  what  these  evangelists  did  do  for  the  slave 
cost  pains  and  sweat. 

Elsewhere  work  (if  we  may  call  it  so)  of  a  very  different 
sort  went  on.  In  curiously  constructed  apartments,  crowded 
with  antique  furniture,  on  easy  chairs,  at  desks  inlaid  with 
pearl — the  sun's  rays  carefully  shut  off  by  delicate  lattice — sat 
laborers,  golden  pen  in  hand,  ready  to  denounce  slavery  "  as  a 
covenant  with  death  and  an  agreement  with  hell,"  and  '^with 
these  tiiords''  to  comfort  the  ignorant  bondman.  And  it  was 
noted,  still  further,  by  a  few,  that  such  philanthropy  as  this, 
some  how  or  other,  got  its  wages  steadily  increased,  and  from 
year  to  year  the  heat  and  cold  were  kept  in  closer  quarantine, 
while  yonder  at  the  South  slaveholding  evangelists,  for  Christ's 
sake  and  for  the  sake  of  souls,  were  willing  to  tramp  through 
"mud,  mud,  mud." 

Mr.  McPheeters,  in  preaching  to  the  colored  people,  usually 
selected  a  subject  that  not  only  justified  argument,  but  opened 
up  a  field  for  graphic  exposition.  On  one  occasion,  the  writer 
heard  him  preach  from  the  story  of  blind  Bartimeus.  The 
body  of  the  edifice  below  was  occupied  by  the  blacks,  while 
the  galleries  above  were  reserved  for  the  whites.  At  the  ap- 
pointed time  the  young  minister  made  his  appearance.  His 
very  countenance  exhibited  such  sincerity,  solemnity  and  hope- 
fulness that  criticism,  if  it  existed,  was  disarmed  from  the  start. 
The  introductory  service  was  charmingly  simple.  A  brief, 
clear  and  tender  exordium  established  the  speaker  most  com- 
pletely in  the  heart  of  the  hearer,  and  then  the  rags,  beggary 
and  blindness  of  Bartimeus  were  turned  over  and  over  again  to 
illustrate  afresh  the  wonder  and  glory  of  the  grace  of  Christ, 
until,  as  the  preacher  advanced,  his  body  swayed  under  emo- 
tion, while  every  feature  of  the  face  literally  glov\-ed  with  the 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  79 

light.  The  manner  of  ]\IcPheeters  was  not  only  original,  but 
wonderfully  engaging.  His  illustrations  of  truth  did  not  influ- 
ence the  understanding  simply,  but  glanced  downward,  irre- 
sistibly, to  the  very  core  of  the  heart.  All  classes  were  reached. 
What  affected  the  servant  below  reached  just  as  effectually  the 
feelings  of  the  master  above.  Thus  it  was  demonstrated  once 
more  that  the  gospel,  in  its  simplicity,  is  the  great  power  of 
God  unto  all.  The  youthful  preacher  gains  the  ear  of  the 
people,  not  with  enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  not  with  rare 
exhibitions  of  philosophic  discussion,  not  with  any  art  of  the 
practiced  rhetorician,  but  grasping,  with  steadfast  earnestness, 
the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  the  incorruptible  Word,  he  finds  this, 
and  this  alone,  mighty  through  God  to  the  pulhng  down  of 
strongholds. 

The  sermon  that  follows  is  only  a  meagre  outline  of  the  dis- 
course as  it  fell  from  the  lips  of  the  preacher : 

THE  BLIND  MAN  RESTORED   TO  SIGHT— Mark  x.  46-53. 

These  words  tell  us  ot  one  of  the  wonderful  works  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 
When  on  earth  our  Lord  did  many  miracles,  and  what  is  remarkable,  every 
one  of  them  was  intended  in  some  way  to  help  or  bless  men.  He  never 
healed  an  animal.  He  never  brought  a  dead  animal  to  life.  The  reason 
was  not  that  He  did  not  care  for  animals,  but  because  He  came  into  the 
world  to  be  the  Savior  of  men,  and  He  wished  to  show  by  what  He  did  for 
their  bodies  what  He  was  willing  to  do  for  their  souls.  All  the  evils  that 
have  come  on  our  bodies  have  come  from  sin.  If  there  had  been  no  sin 
there  would  have  been  no  blind  or  lame  or  sick.  Christ  came  to  "make  an 
end  of  sin;  "  and  to  show  that  he  could  and  would  do  it,  He  made  an  end 
of  the  troubles  that  sin  has  turned  in  on  the  body.  He  healed  the  sick, 
cured  the  lame,  gave  sight  to  the  blind,  and  raised  the  dead.  And  when 
He  did  these  things,  it  was  as  if  He  said,  I  can  also  heal  your  sin-sick  soul, 
open  the  eyes  of  your  blind  hearts,  and  give  you  spiritual  hfe. 

In  this  opening  of  the  eyes  of  poor,  bhnd  Bartimeus,  therefore,  we  may 
learn  some  very  important  lessons,  for  every  sinner  is,  spiritually,  in  just 
his  condition — blind  and  poor.     The  sinner  may  not  feel  this  to  be  his  con- 


8o  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

dition,  but  it  is  so,  whether  he  feels  it  or  not.  The  Lord  Jesus  tells  us  of 
some  who  said  they  were  "rich  and  increased  with  goods,  and  had  need 
of  nothing,  and  knew  not  that  they  were  wretched  and  miserable  and  poor 
and  blind  and  naked."  To  the  blind  man  the  world  is  all  dark.  He  sees 
no  beauty  in  green  fields  or  bright  flowers.  He  may  hear  others  talking 
about  these  things,  and  he  may  talk  about  them  himself,  but  he  sees 
nothing;  all  is  dark  to  him.  So  to  the  sinner,  religion  is  all  dark.  He  sees 
nothing  bright  or  beautiful  in  the  service  of  God.  He  may  talk  about 
religion  as  he  hears  others  talk,  but  he  does  not  understand  it;  it  is  dark  to 
him,  for  he  is  blind.  This  is  the  reason  religion  is  such  a  gloomy  thing  to 
sinners.  The  gospel  is  not  gloomy ;  it  is  full  of  hght  and  joy  and  glory. 
But  Paul  tells  us  that  "the  God  of  this  world,"  that  is,  Satan,  "hath 
blinded  the  minds  of  them  that  believed  not,  lest  the  light  of  the  glorious 
gospel  of  Christ,  who  is  the  image  of  God,  should  shine  unto  them." 

As  the  sinner's  case  is  so  much  like  this  blind  man's,  so  he  can  not  do 
better  than  to  act  as  he  did. 

We  are  told  that  as  Jesus  and  his  disciples  and  a  great  number  of  people 
were  coming  out  of  Jericho,  "blind  Bartimeus,  the  son  of  Timeus,  sat  by 
the  highway  side  begging." 

Happy  was  it  for  this  blind  man  that  he  was  so  near  the  place  where 
Jesus  passed.  Had  he  been  on  some  other  road,  along  which  Jesus  did 
not  pass,  he  might  have  lived  and  died  blind.  There  are  places  of  which 
it  may  be  truly  said,  it  is  good  to  be  there — there  are  places  where  Jesus 
still  passes  and  blesses.  The  house  of  God  is  one  of  these  places,  for 
the  Bible  tells  us  "God's  way  is  in  the  sanctuary."  The  place  of  secret 
prayer  is  another,  and  it  is  good  for  the  bhnd  to  be  there  "begging."  For 
most  of  those  who  keep  away  from  the  Church  and  the  place  of  prayer  miss 
Christ  and  die  in  their  sins. 

As  the  blind  man  sat  by  the  wayside  he  heard  the  tramp  of  the  multitude, 
and  was  told  by  some  one  that  Jesus  of  Nazareth  was  passing  by.  No 
doubt  he  had  heard  of  Jesus  before,  for  the  whole  country  was  full  of 
reports  concerning  Him — how  He  healed  the  sick  and  raised  the  dead.  And 
he  may  also  have  heard  how  kind  He  was  to  the  poor  and  friendless.  It  is 
plain  that  he  believed  on  Jesus,  for  he  called  Him  Son  of  David,  which 
shows  that  he  beheved  Him  to  be  the  Savior  God  had  promised  to  send. 

"  He  began  to  cry  out  and  say,  Jesus,  Thou  Son  of  David,  have  mercy 
on  me !  "  Mark  well  this  prayer !  It  was  a  very  humble  one — it  was  for 
mercy.     Mercy   is   favor   shown   to   those   who  have  no  claims,    and   he 


8i 


fell,  that  he  had  no  claims.  Many,  even  among  those  who  are  seeking: 
salvation,  make  a  great  mistake  here.  They  do  not  ask  for  mercy. 
They  expect  to  be  saved  for  something  they  are  to  do  or  feel.  Their 
prayer  really  means — save  me  for  my  tears,  or,  save  me  for  my  prayers, 
or,  save  me  for  my  repentance ;  they  want  to  get  a  claim  on  God. 
Not  so  this  blind  man.  He  offered  no  price  for  what  he  wanted ;  he  felt 
that  he  was  not  only  blind,  but  very  poor;  "he  sat  by  the  wayside  beg- 
ging." And  the  sinner  is  poor  and  blind,  and  he,  too,  must  come  to  Jesus 
begging.  We  may  work  our  way  to  hell,  but  we  must  beg  our  way  to 
heaven  ;  "for  the  wages  of  sin  is  death,  but  the  gift  of  God  is  eternal  hfe 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 

But  it  was  not  at  once  that  the  blind  man  came  to  the  Savior.  He  had 
some  difficulties  to  overcome,  for  "many  charged  him  that  he  should 
hold  his  peace."  And  it  may  be  doubted  if  ever  there  was  one  who  got  to 
the  Savior  without  meeting  with  difficulties.  Many  things  within  and  with- 
out say  to  the  soul  beginning  to  call  on  Jesus  for  mercy,  "hold  your  peace." 
Satan  makes  use  of  false  shame  or  wicked  friends,  or  he  puts  some  hin- 
drance in  the  way  to  keep  the  troubled  soul  still.  Many  charged  this  poor 
blind  man  to  hold  his  peace.  But  what  did  he  do  ?  "  He  cried  the 
more  a  great  deal,  Thou  Son  of  David,  have  mercy  on  me."  He 
would  not  be  hushed ;  he  was  truly  in  earnest,  and  all  who  would  be 
saved  must  be  in  earnest.  "Strive,"  said  Jesus,  "to  enter  in  at  the  strait 
gate."  If  difficulties  are  in  the  way,  they  must  be  overcome.  Men  expect 
to  meet  difficulties  and  overcome  them  in  everything  else,  why  not  in  relig- 
ion? Whoever  got  riches  or  honor  or  pleasure  without  being  so  much  in 
earnest  as  to  do  all  that  is  necessary  to  be  done.  No  man  can  be  saved 
without  being  in  earnest  about  it.  God  is  in  earnest,  and  Christ  is  in  earn- 
est, and  Satan  is  in  earnest,  and  so  must  we  be  if  we  would  be  saved.  And 
those  who  seek  the  Savior  with  all  their  heart  will  find  Him.  See  what 
He  did  for  this  blind  man  !  '  *  And  Jesus  stood  still  and  commanded  him 
to  be  called;  and  they  called  the  blind  man,  saying  unto  him,  be  of  good 
comfort,  rise.  He  calleth  thee."  It  seems  from  their  comforting  him  that, 
the  blind  man  had  begun  to  be  troubled  because  his  prayer  was  not 
answered.  With  what  joy,  then,  did  he  hear  the  word,  "  Rise,  He  calletK 
thee."  And  these  words  may  be  sounded  in  the  ears  of  every  poor  sinner- 
who  is  earnestly  calling  on  Christ  for  mercy.  "Rise,  He  calleth  thee."' 
Hear  Him  say,  "Look  unto  me  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth  and  be  ye  saved."' 
"Whosoever  will  let  him  take  of  the  water  of  life  freely."     Surely,  AvhePi 

6 


82  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

Jesus  says  this,  "He  calleth  thee;  "  and  why  should  any  one  doubt  or  hes- 
itate to  go  to  the  Savior  who  is  thus  caUing  ? 

It  is  strange  that  many  who  know  that  Christ  calls  them  in  these  invita- 
tions, and  who  sometimes  feel  that  they  would  like  to  go, hold  back  because 
they  do  not  feel  that  they  are  fit  to  go.  They  think  there  is  something,  they 
can  not  tell  exactly  what,  to  be  done  or  felt  by  them  before  they  can  come 
to  Christ.  This  is  a  great  mistake.  Suppose  this  bUnd  man,  when  Jesus 
stopped  and  called  him,  had  waited  to  see  before  he  went?  How  foolish  it 
would  have  been  ?  But  not  more  so  than  the  sinner's  waiting  to  get  ready 
to  go  to  Christ.  Jesus  receives  sinners,  and  all  that  the  sinner  needs  to  do 
is  just  to  act  as  this  blind  man  did.  Hearing  the  Savior's  call,  "he,  casting 
away  his  garment"  or  cloak,  "rose  and  came  to  Jesus."  He  delayed  not 
a  moment  for  anything;  his  cloak  was  in  his  way  and  he  threw  that  oft. 
So  the  sinner  should  throw  aside  everything  that  hinders  his  coming  to 
Christ — his  vain  excuses,  the  filthy  garment  of  his  self-righteousness,  his 
hope  of  getting  better — and  come  just  as  he  is. 

"And  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  him,  What  wilt  thou  that  I  should 
do  unto  thee  ?  "  And  the  blind  man  turned  his  sightless  eyes  toward  Jesus 
and  said  unto  Him,  "Lord,  that  I  might  receive  my  sight."  This,  too,  is 
the  very  prayer  for  the  sinner  to  offer.  For  he  needs  to  have  the  eyes  of 
his  heart  opened  that  he  may  see  how  lost  and  ruined  and  helpless  a  sinner 
he  is,  and  how  great  and  willing  and  loving  a  Savior  Jesus  is  ! 

"And  Jesus  said  unto  him,  go  thy  way,  thy  faith  hath  made  thee  whole. 
And  immediately  he  received  his  sight."  Yes,  in  a  moment  the  dark  mist 
of  gloomy  years  rolled  away,  and  he  was  like  one  who  had  come  into  a  new 
world.  Then  he  knew  that  the  darkness  he  had  all  along  felt  was  in  him- 
self, not  in  the  beautiful  world.  And  with  what  surprise  does  the  soul 
brought  out  of  nature's  darkness  into  the  glorious  light  of  the  gospel  find 
the  service  of  God  to  be  a  joyous  and  happy  service. 

Jesus  said  to  the  blind  man,  "  thy  faith  hath  made  thee  whole."  How ? 
By  bringing  him  to  Christ.  He  believed  that  Jesus  was  the  promised  Sa- 
vior, that  he  was  able  to  heal  him.  This  led  him  to  call  upon  Him  for 
mercy;  to  keep  calling  till  he  was  heard.  He  trusted  in  Christ,  and  was 
healed  by  Christ. 

Now  notice  what  the  bhnd  man  did  when  he  was  healed.  He  followed 
Jesus  in  the  way.  He  seems  to  have  loved  his  society.  Our  Lord  and 
those  who  were  with  him  were  going  up  to  Jerusalem  to  worship  at  the 


ME^roiR  OF  s.  B.  m'pheeters,  d.  d.  S$ 

gi-eat  feast,  and  he  will  go  with   them,  for,  no  doubt,  Jesus  opened  not 
only  the  eyes  of  his  body  but  of  his  soul. 

And  every  soul  that  has  seen  Jesus  as  its  Savior — every  one  who  has 
truly  come  to  Him  for  healing,  becomes  a  follower.  When  He  opens  the 
eyes  of  any  one  he  sees  so  much  of  beauty  in  Him  that  he  is  drawn  with 
cords  of  love  to  run  after  Him. 


84  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B,    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 


CHAPTER    Y. 

SETTLEMENT  AND  LABORS  IN  AMELIA. 

For  more  than  a  year  McPheeters  preached  the  gospel  from 
plantation  to  plantation,  and  the  zeal  and  self-denial  of  this 
godly  minister  attracted  the  attention  even  of  mibelievers.  In 
September,  1847,  the  evangelist  began  to  entertain  thoughts  of 
a  pastorate.     The  diary  says  : 

"  Having  considered  the  subject  with  care  and  attention,  I 
have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  it  is  my  duty  to  give  up  my 
present  field  and  seek  the  pastoral  relation.  My  principal  rea- 
sons are  the  following:  ist.  While  I  consider  the  work  as  one 
of  very  great  interest  and  importance,  and  my  views,  in  this 
respect,  have  undergone  no  change,  I  am  persuaded  that,  as  2 
pastor,  I  can  accomplish  as  much,  perhaps  more,  for  the  in- 
struction of  the  negroes  than  I  can  as  a  missionary.  2d.  I  find 
the  labor  and  exposure  of  my  present  field  likely  to  undermine 
my  health.  3d.  There  is  but  litde  prospect  of  carrying  out  my 
plan  in  this  country.  4th.  I  find  that  it  is  likely  to  be  of  per- 
manent injury  to  me  as  a  preacher.  5th.  My  most  judicious 
friends  advise  me  to  this  course. 

"  Before  I  left  Nottoway  I  had  received  an  informal  invita- 
tion from  the  elders  of  Pisgah  church,  Woodford  county,  Ky., 
to  come  and  preach  for  them,  in  reference  to  a  settlement. 
This  invitation  I  had  substantially  declined,  as  I  had  not  then 
made  up  my  mind  to  quit  my  missionary  work.  Upon  deter- 
mining to  give  up  this  field,  however,  I  concluded  to  accom- 
pany Scott  and  his  bride  to  Kentucky,  look  at  the  country, 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  85 

and,  if  a  place  offers,  to  see  whether  it  would  suit  me  and  I  it. 
We  set  out  for  Philadelphia  on  Monday,  13th  of  September, 
for  the  West.  Spent  first  night  in  Baltimore.  Next  day  took 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad  for  Cumberland,  by  Harper's 
Ferry,  and  reached  Cumberland  that  night.  Without  stopping, 
we  took  stage  for  Wheeling;  crossed  the  Cumberland  Moun- 
tains and  arrived  in  Wheeling  on  the  night  following — a  very 
fatiguing  ride  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  miles,  and  some  six 
hours  behind  our  time.  In  Wheeling  we  remained  part  of  a 
day,  and  then  took  a  steamboat  down  the  Ohio  river.  Spend- 
ing the  Sabbath  in  Portsmouth,  we  arrived  in  Cincinnati  early 
in  the  week,  and  took  the  boat  there  for  Frankfort,  Ky.,  and 
reached  Mr.  Berryman's,  seven  miles  from  Lexington,  early 
in  the  week — Wednesday,  I  think.  Here  I  remained,  and 
in  the  neighborhood.  In  the  meantime  the  elders  had 
selected  a  minister  to  fill  the  vacancy  at  Pisgah,  and  I  was 
thinking  of  making  my  arrangements  to  return  home,  when  I 
was  invited  to  preach  at  the  churches  of  Woodford  and  Har- 
mony, which  I  did  for  three  Sabbaths.  They  then  proposed 
to  give  me  a  call,  which  I  declined  considering  until  I  should 
return  to  Virginia.  I  left  Mr.  Berryman's,  where  I  had  been 
so  kindly  entertained,  on  Monday,  Sept.  11,  and  set  out  for 
this  place.  Dr.  Jones'.  Was  detained  in  Cincinnati  two  days 
by  sickness,  and  reached  here,  by  the  same  way  I  went,  on 
the  23d  of  October.  When  at  Mr.  Eppes',  I  received  an  invi- 
tation to  visit  the  church  in  Amelia,  with  a  view  to  a  call,  and 
as  I  had  made  an  arrangement  to  preach  there  the  first  Sab- 
bath of  November,  I  went  over  last  Sabbath  and  preached  at 
Mt.  Zion.  For  more  than  a  week  I  have  had  a  distresssing 
pain  in  the  lower  part  of  my  abdomen,  which  has  given  me 
some  uneasiness;  preached,  however,  in  the  evening.  Went 
with  Dr.  Anderson  next  day  to  Garland  Jefferson's,  that  night 


86  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

to  Frank  Eggleston's,  and  then  home.  I  made  no  arrangement 
with  the  Amelia  church. 

"  Sunday,  Nov.  4. — Preached  to-day  in  the  upper  church 
my  farewell  sermon ;  congregation  not  large.  Was  much  af- 
fected at  the  prospect  of  seeing  and  preaching  to  this  people 
no  more.     This  evening  preached  to  Dr.  Jones'  people. 

Nov.  15. — Preached  at  12  o'clock  at  Crawley  Jones' — the 
room  full.  When  I  concluded,  the  people  came  to  bid  me 
farewell,  with  tears. 

"  Nov.  19. — A  letter  from  the  Church  at  Woodford,  Ky.' 

Nov.  21. — Preached  to-day  at  the  chapel,  the  congregation 
the  largest  that  I  have  ever  seen  there;  but  they  came  in  so  ir- 
regularly that  it,  in  a  great  measure,  defeated  the  sermon.     * 

"Jan.  31,  1848. — I  have  for  a  long  time  neglected  to  write 
in  my  journal,  for  reasons  which  it  would  be  difficult  for  me 
now  to  state. 

"  The  choice  which  I  should  make  between  the  Church  in 
Woodford,  Ky.,  and  Amelia,  for  a  long  time,  gave  me  much 
anxiety.  After  deliberation,  I  concluded  to  go  to  Kentucky, 
and  had  made  all  my  arrangements  to  do  so,  when  I  was  in- 
vited to  Amelia  to  preach  a  funeral  sermon.  I  went  for  the 
double  purpose  of  preaching  and  announcing  my  determina- 
tion to  go  to  Kentucky.  The  members  of  the  Church  seemed 
greatly  disappointed  and  troubled  at  my  decision.  Dr.  An- 
derson and  Mr.  Jefferson  accompanied  me  to  the  house  of 
Capt.  Perkinson,  another  elder,  and  they,  also,  united  in  a  de- 
sire for  me  to  remain.  I  told  them  freely  my  difficulties. 
Among  others,  that  I  saw  no  prospect  of  making  a  permanent 
settlement  among  them,  as  I  was  persuaded  that  I  could  not 
remain  longer  than  a  year,  or  at  most  two  years,  among  them. 
They  stated  that  they  were  resolved  to  have  a  pastor,  and  had 
fixed  upon  me.     If  I  would  consent  to  remain,  at  least  for  a 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  87 

year,  that  we  could  then  make  a  trial  and  see  what  could  be 
done ;  that  for  the  next  year  they  would  personally  pledge  to 
me  an  adequate  salary,  and  added  many  other  considerations, 
especially  the  destitution  and  feeble  state  of  the  Church,  After 
considering  the  whole  matter,  at  no  inconsiderable  sacrifice  of 
my  personal  preferences  and  pecuniary  advantage,  I  resolved, 
as  a  matter  of  duty,  to  remain. 

"  I  was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  East  Hanover,  at 
Chinquepin  church,  on  the  nth  day  of  June,  1848.  Members 
of  Presbytery  present — Revs.  Mr.  Pryor,  Nevius  and  Dudley. 
I  preached  in  the  evening ;  Mr.  Pryor  in  the  morning, 

"March  17,  1849. — Rode  up  to  Painville,  dined  with  Dr. 
Evans'  family,  visited  Mr.  Wisigar's  tamily,  saw  Mrs.  Miller, 
in  the  evening  performed  the  marriage  ceremony  for  two  col- 
ored people  at  Dr.  Evans'. 

"  May  10. — Remained  at  home.  Received  several  letters, 
one  telling  me  that  brother  Alexander  and  sister  Jane  had  made 
a  profession  of  religion.  For  this  the  Lord  be  praised.  Every 
member  of  my  father's  family  are  now  members  of  the  Church. 
The  union  of  a  whole  family  in  heaven  is,  indeed,  a  glorious 
prospect. 

"Dec.  1ST. — Visited  Mrs,  Frank  Eggleston  and  dined. 
When  I  came  home  found  three  letters — one  from  Dr.  Harrison, 
Chairman  of  the  Faculty  of  the  University  of  Virginia,  inform- 
ing me  of  my  appointment  to  the  Chaplaincy ;  one  from  Dr. 
McGuffey,  urging  acceptance ;  one  from  Ruffner,  do. 

"  Dec.  6th. — Spent  a  miserable  day  deciding  upon  the  call 
to  the  University ;  up  until  2  a.  m. 

"  Dec.  7TH. — One  of  the  most  distressing  days  of  my  life, 
from  the  same  cause.     Decided  to  reject  the  call;    up  until 

5    A.    M." 


S8  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

The  testimony  of  Mr.  J.  G.  Jefferson,  of  Amelia  county,  Va., 
is  interesting.     He  says  : 

"When  I  first  became  acquainted  with  Mr.  McPheeters 
he  was  preaching  to  the  colored  people  in  Nottoway  county, 
having  appointments  at  the  houses  of  large  planters. 

"At  that  time  the  question  of  abolishing  slavery  had  become 
very  exciting.  And  although  the  educated  and  genteel  people 
did  not  generally  object  to  his  scheme  of  preaching  from  house 
to  house  to  the  negroes,  yet  quite  a  large  number  of  the  lower 
class  were  very  resolutely  opposed,  and  some  even  threatened 
violence,  which  did  not  make  him  hesitate.  He,  however,  did 
not  become  excited,  but  vrent  quietly  from  house  to  house 
preaching  to  them.  I  think  he  had  at  one  time  eighteen 
appointments  at  different  houses. 

"  He  was  a  man  of  great  firmness  and  decision  of  character. 
At  the  time  when  the  excitement  about  his  preaching  to  the 
negroes  at  the  plantatio'ns  was  at  the  highest  pitch,  some  half 
dozen  violent  men  agreed  to  use  violence,  if  necessary,  to  stop 
him,  and  had  actually  held  a  meeting  once  or  twice  to  devise 
some  plan.  Between  these  meetings  Dr.  McPheeters,  in  going 
to  one  of  his  appointments,  had  to  pass  near  the  residence  of 
the  leader  of  this  party,  who  owned  a  large  farm.  Riding 
along  the  public  road,  after  having  gone  past  the  dwelling  some 
distance,  he  saw  a  large  number  of  cows  destroying  the  crop. 
He  immediately  turned  back  and  rode  quite  a  distance  to  the 
house,  and  calling  the  man  out,  told  him  that  he  could  not  go 
on  without  letting  him  know  about  it.  He  then  went  forward. 
But  this  leader  and  those  who  concerted  violence  with  him 
were  all  present  that  day  at  the  appointed  place  of  preaching. 
After  getting  to  the  meeting,  however,  the  leader  told  the  others 
the  circumstances  as  they  have  been  related,  and  then  remarked: 
Gentlemen,  a  man  who  could  do  this  will  do  us  no  harm. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D,  D.  89 

and  no  man  shall  do  him  any  harm.'  Soon  after  this  Mr. 
McPheeters  became  convinced  that  he  could  do  more  good 
by  combining  preaching  to  both  races,  and  the  Amelia  church 
being  vacant,  he  accepted  an  offer  to  preach  for  us  as  an 
Evangelist.  He  lived  in  my  house.  All  of  my  family  became 
very  much  devoted  to  him.  Although  he  now  only  preached 
to  the  negroes  in  the  evenings  after  preaching  to  the  whites, 
yet  he  had  great  influence  with  them.  He  was,  even  at  that 
early  day,  one  of  the  most  impressive  preachers  I  ever  heard. 
I  never  shall  forget  a  visit  that  we  made  together  to  East 
Hanover  Presbytery,  whose  sessions  were  held  at  a  church 
called  Bethlehem,  seventeen  miles  below  Richmond.  Presby- 
tery met  Thursday.  There  were  a  goodly  number  of  distin- 
guished preachers  present — Drs.  Moore,  Hoge,  Leyburn,  Pryor, 
and  others.  Mr.  McPheeters  at  this  time  had  preached  but  a 
few  sermons  to  the  whites.  On  Saturday  of  Presbytery  he 
was  asked  to  preach  to  a  large  congregation.  I  remember  an 
old  lady  of  Dr.  Leyburn's  congregation,  from  Petersburg,  told 
me  that  she  had  gone  to  Dr.  Leyburn  and  remonstrated  with 
him  for  putting  up  to  preach,  and  that  to  so  large  and  intelli- 
gent a  congregation,  a  young  and  untried  preacher.  She  said 
Dr.  Leyburn  remarked,  jocularly:  'Sister,  he  is  said  to  be  a 
good  preacher  to  negroes  and  he  may  surprise  you.'  The  old 
lady  said  he  had  proceeded  but  a  very  little  way  before  she 
almost  shouted  for  joy  that  they  had  put  him  up.  I  myself 
can  never  forget  the  impression  the  young  preacher  made  that 
day  on  that  congregation.  After  the  sermon  quite  a  number 
went  to  him  and  took  him  by  the  hand  and  congratulated  him. 
Among  others  who  did  this  was  a  local  Methodist  preacher 
named  Kidd,  and  Dr.  Carter  Branton,  a  very  intelligent  man 
and  a  leading  Elder  in  the  New  School  Church,  who  told  me, 
*  We  must  have  yoiw  preacher,  because  he  can  unite  the  Old 


90  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'rHEETERS,    D.  D. 

and    New  School  down  here,   and.  he  is  the  only  one  that 
can.' 

"  Mr.  McPheeters  certainly  combined  more  good  qualities 
than  any  man  I  ever  knew.  He  was  always  agreeable  and 
the  life  of  every  company  that  he  entered.  But,  nevertheless, 
he  always  impressed  you  with  his  piety.  He  was  also  distin- 
guished above  all  others  for  his  humility.  While  he  lived  with 
me  he  was  flattered  enough  to  have  ruined  any  ordinary  man, 
and  yet  I  could  not  see  that  it  made  any  change  in  him. 
There  was  a  man  in  our  congregation  who  thought  it  would 
please  Mr.  McPheeters  to  be  told  how  great  a  man  he  was, 
but  I  have  heard  him  speak  of  that  person  with  disgust.  And 
this  is  the  only  one  I  ever  heard  him  speak  of  in  that  way. 

"  1  can  remember  many  little  things  that  he  used  to  do  and 
say  which  were  very  interesting  to  us,  but  I  cannot  write  them 
in  such  a  way  as  to  interest  the  public.  In  conclusion,  I  would 
say  that  he  left  a  reputation  in  our  community  of  which  any 
man  in  the  present  or  past  generation  might  jusdy  be  proud. 
I  wish,  my  dear  sir,  that  I  was  accustomed  to  write,  so  that  I 
might  give  an  interesting  account  of  the  early  ministry  of  my 
dear  friend  Mr.  McPheeters ;  but  hope  you  will  excuse  me  for 
sending  this  disjointed  account  of  what  I  remember  of  him." 

Two  discourses,  at  the  request  of  friends,  have  been  inserted 
in  the  Memoir.  The  sermon  that  follows  was  written  in  1849, 
and  rewritten  in  1855.  ^^  was  repeated  more  frequently  than 
any  discourse  which  Mr.  McPheeters  ever  prepared,  having 
been  preached  twenty-six  times  in  different  regions  ot  the 
country,  from  Raleigh,  N.  C,  to  Fort  Union,  in  New  Mexico. 
This  repetition  arose,  no  doubt,  from  the  fact  that  fervid  and 
solemn  impressions  were  known,  almost  invariably,  to  accom- 
pany its  delivery : 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  9I 

THE   WAY   OF    TRANSGRESSORS   IS    HARD. 

(Prov.   xiii.  15,  last  clause. ) 

If  the  existence  of  an  infinitely  wise,  holy  and  almighty  Governor  of  the 
universe  be  admitted,  and  if  it  be  further  admitted  that  He  takes  any  inter- 
est in  the  affairs  of  men,  loving  those  who  obey  His  commands  and  feeling 
any  displeasure  at  those  who  transgress  His  laws,  we  would  naturally  con- 
clude, without  any  other  evidence,  that  He  would  so  order  things  in  the 
dispensation  of  His  providence  that  while  "wisdom's  ways  should  be  ways 
of  pleasantness  "  that  the  "  way  of  the  transgessor  should  be  hard."  For 
it  would  be  a  reflection  no  less  upon  the  goodness  than  upon  the  wisdom  of 
God  to  suppose  that  He  would  offer  an  inducement  to  transgressors  and  a 
reward  to  sinners  by  making  the  ways  of  disobedience  so  pleasant  as  to 
tempt  men  to  walk  in  them,  contrary  to  His  commands  and  the  order  of  His 
government.  This  conclusion  of  natural  reason  is  abundantly  confirmed  by 
Sacred  Scripture  and  experience.  It  is  true,  this  world  is  not  the  place 
where  sin  meets  with  its  full  and  adequate  punishment ;  hence  every  act  of 
transgression  does  not  here  receive  its  just  recompense  of  reward.  Nay, 
we  are  told  that  God  endures  with  much  long  suffering  even  the  vessels  of 
wrath  fitted  for  destruction,  and  that  He  causes  His  sun  to  rise  upon  the 
evil  and  the  good  and  sends  His  rain  upon  the  just  and  the  unjust.  But 
while  this  is  true,  it  is  at  the  same  time  no  less  true  that  in  the  ordinary 
administration  of  His  providential  government  He  has  made  the  constitu- 
tion of  His  creatures  and  of  the  external  world  such  that,  in  the  very  nature 
of  the  case,  the  "way  of  transgressors  must  be  hard;"  and  it  is  hard 
because  they  sin  against  the  nature  of  things.  Every  creature  of  God  is 
good  and  is  to  be  received,  i.  e.,  enjoyed,  with  thanksgiving;  and  when 
they  are  so  received  they  minister — as  God  designed  they  should — to  the 
comfort  and  happiness  of  man.  The  sin  of  the  transgressor  is  that  he 
refuses  so  to  use  them.  Instead  of  giving  creature  blessings  that  subordinate 
place  in  his  affection  to  which  they  are  entitled,  he  exalts  them  into  supreme 
objects  of  affection  ;  instead  of  using  the  world,  as  not  abusing  it,  he  seeks  it 
that  he  may  consume  it  upon  his  lusts.  This,  in  the  very  nature  of  the 
case,  must  produce  misery.  This  idolatrous  love  of  the  world  must  end  in 
blighted  hopes  and  disappointed  and  ungratified  affections,  while  the  im- 
moderate or  intemperate  use  of  creature  blessings  invariably  has  a  tendency 
to  weaken,  corrupt  and  destroy  both  body  and  mind.  It  may  be  demon- 
strated that  all  the  laws  of  nature  are  the  laws  of  \'irtue.     God  has  written 


92  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

the  law  of  virtue  on  every  nerve  and  tissue  in  the  human  body,  which  sin 
with  difficulty  erases  after  many  a  writhing  protest  and  many  a  cup  of 
agony  from  outraged  and  suffering  nature,  thus  showing  that  nature  her- 
self is  arrayed  against  the  transgressor  to  make  his  way  hard.  It  is  a  truth, 
worthy  of  especial  regard,  that  there  is  not  a  real  pleasure  of  any  kind  what- 
ever that  is  peculiar  to  transgressors  which  might  not  be  had  in  the  way  of 
obedience.  I  know  that  the  irreligious  think  differently.  But  what  real 
pleasure  has  the  sinner  which  the  saint  has  not?  Does  the  world  lose 
any  of  its  brightness  by  being  regarded  as  the  gift  of  a  kind  and  loving 
Father  ?  True,  the  Christian  is  required  to  deny  himself — to  take  up  his 
cross  and  follow  Christ.  But  remember  that  Christian  self-denial  is  not  the 
only  self-denial ;  the  transgressors  have  to  deny  themselves  no  less  than  the 
people  of  God.  All  of  the  depraved  passions  and  appetites  of  the  soul  can 
not  be  gratified,  for  many  of  them  are  in  direct  conflict  with  others.  Cov- 
etousness  can  not  be  gratified  without  denying  pride  and  vanity.  Ambition 
feeds  upon  a  host  of  other  appetites  and  affections.  In  fact,  all  of  the  cor- 
rupt desires  of  men  are  full  of  contradictions  and  inconsistencies,  and  make 
the  soul  that  is  enslaved  by  them  a  Babel  of  confusion.  The  love  of  riches, 
the  love  of  honor  and  pleasure,  pride,  coveteousness,  vanity  and  luxury, 
jostle  and  interfere  in  a  thousand  various  rencounters.  They  are  justly 
compared  by  Solomon  to  the  daughters  of  the  horse-leech,  ever  crying, 
*' give,  give,''''  and  to  the  grave  that  never  says,  it  is  enough.  So  that  if  the 
Christian  duty  of  mortifying  our  corruptions  be  painful,  the  sinful  effort  to 
satisfy  them  is  absolutely  impossible. 

The  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard  because  he  has  to  forego  all  the  sup- 
port and  comfort  and  exalted  happiness  which  religion  gives  in  this  life. 

One  of  the  common  delusions  which  the  great  adversary  practices,  espec- 
ially upon  the  young  and  the  gay,  is  to  persuade  them  that  rehgion  is  a  dark 
and  gloomy  service,  inconsistent  with  the  vivacity  of  youth,  and  utterly 
destructive  of  the  pleasures  of  this  life.  Many  think  rehgion  a  hard  bar- 
gain, by  which  men  agree  to  be  miserable  here  that  they  may  not  be 
miserable  hereafter.  Strange  delusion!  Contradicted  ahke  by  Sacred 
Scripture,  by  reason,  and  by  experience.  Godhness  has  the  promise  of  the 
life  that  now  is  no  less  than  of  that  which  is  to  come.  And  why  should  it 
not  be  so  ?  Is  not  God  the  giver  and  the  source  of  all  happiness,  temporal 
as  well  as  eternal?  "Every  good  and  perfect  gift  comes  down  from  the 
Father  of  hghts."  "All  our  springs  are  in  Him."  Well,  who  are  the 
wicked  ?     Are  they  not  the  enemies  of  God — those  with  whom  He  says 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  93 

He  is  angry  every  day  ?  And  who  are  the  righteous  ?  Are  they  not  the 
friends  of  God — those  whom  He  loved  so  well  as  to  give  His  only 
begotten  Son  for  their  redemption!  And  does  God  give  more  hap- 
piness to  His  enemies  than  to  His  friends  ?  Nay.  Does  God  so  delight 
in  the  misery  of  His  children  as  to  arrange  a  plan  of  redemption  so 
as  to  insure  the  unhappiness  of  those  who  embrace  its  promises  ?  Can 
even  the  father  of  lies  impose  so  monstrous  an  absurdity  upon  those 
whom  he  leads  captive  at  his  will  ?  Let  not  the  irreligious  appeal  to 
their  om'u  experience  to  deny  the  plain  teachings  of  Sacred  Scripture  and 
reason  ?  Let  not  the  impenitent  think  because  the  serious  consideration  of  * 
religion  fills  them  with  so  much  gloom,  and  because  the  duties  of  religion 
are  so  irksome  to  them  that,  therefore,  religion  would  make  them  unhappy. 
The  wicked  can  not  appeal  to  their  experience  on  this  subject,  for  the  sim- 
ple reason  that  they  have  none.  That  which  has  made  them  miserable 
when  they  have  thought  upon  this  subject  is  not  religion,  but  the  want  of  it. 
Upon  the  question,  what  effect  rehgion  has  in  making  its  possessors  happy 
or  unhappy,  they  absolutely  have  no  experience  whatever.  If  we  Avish  to 
know  what  experience  teaches,  we  must  ask  true  Christians,  and  they, 
with  united  testimony  say,  Avith  David,  "I  would  rather  be  a  doorkeeper  in 
the  house  of  my  God  than  dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness."  Oh  !  there  is 
a  high  and  holy  joy  in  loving  and  serving  God  of  which  the  wicked  can 
form  no  estimate.  There  is  a  calm  serenity  of  soul  in  communing  with  the 
Father  of  spirits  which  transcends  all  the  pleasures  of  sense.  There  is  a 
peace  which  Jesus  speaks  to  the  soul  of  which  the  world  knows  nothing, 
and  there  is  a  hope,  which  the  Christian  has  as  an  anchor  to  the  soul, 
remaining  both  sure  and  steadfast  amid  the  wildest  storms  of  life.  And 
the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard  because  he  is  destitute  of  these  comforts 
and  supports  of  religion.  While  the  transgressor  is  in  health  and  strength; 
while  he  is  surrounded  by  fortune  and  by  friends ;  while  Providence  seems 
to  smile  upon  his  efforts  and  bless  the  labor  of  his  hand ;  while  the  fig  tree 
blossoms  and  the  fruit  is  on  the  vine  ;  while  the  labor  of  the  olive  does  not 
fail  and  the  flock  is  not  cut  off  from  the  fold,  he  may,  indeed,  not  feel  his  way 
to  be  hard.  But  these  things  can  not  always  last.  No  man  escapes  the  sor- 
rows and  disappointments  which  are  the  common  lot  of  humanity.  The  day 
of  darkness  comes  alike  upon  all.  The  wife  must  watch  with  agony  the  hus- 
band's vain  struggle  with  the  king  of  terrors.  The  husband  must  follow 
the  sad  procession  which  bears  the  object  of  his  cherished  affection  to  the 
tomb.     Parents  must  look  upon  the  mute  suffering  of  helpless  infants  and 


94  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

wipe  the  death  damp  from  the  brow  of  loving  children.  Oh !  there  are 
times  to  us  all  when  the  soul,  like  Noah's  dove,  finds  the  world  a  waste 
without  a  resting  place.  And  what  a  consolation  is  it  in  this  midnight 
of  the  soul  to  lift  up  an  eye  toward  heaven,  and  see  there  the  sympathizing 
face  of  One  who  has  been  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmity,  and  to 
hear  His  heavenly  voice  saying:  "Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled." 
"When  thou  passest  through  the  waters  I  will  be  with  thee:  and  through 
the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow  thee."  "When  thou  walkest  through 
the  fire  thou  shalt  not  be  burned :  neither  shall  the  flames  kindle  upon 
thee."  But  the  way  of  the  transgressor 'is  cheered  by  no  such  beams  from 
heaven.  His  only  resources  are  sullen  grief,  hopeless  despair,  or  a  cold 
and  heartless  philosophy:  and  miserable  comforters  are  they  all. 

2.  Again,  the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard,  because  he  pursues  it 
contrary  to  his  better  judgment  and  feeling  and  the  dictates  of  an  intelli- 
gent conscience.  Let  men  say  what  they  will,  there  is  something  in  the 
pure  and  heavenly  religion  of  the  Bible  which  commends  it  to  the  enlight- 
ened judgment  of  all  men.  And  I  care  not  what  men  say  or  how  they  live, 
there  is,  after  all,  a  profound  conviction  in  the  soul  that  Chistianity  is  true 
and  good.  There  is  a  feeling  deep  as  the  consciousness  of  immortality, 
that  God  is  the  proper  aim  of  the  soul.  And  neither  the  most  thought- 
less nor  the  most  reckless  can  always  satisfy  themselves  that  their  course  is 
wise,  safe  and  best. 

Conscience,  too,  makes  the  way  of  the  transgressor  hard.  He  is  but  a 
shallow  observer  who  thinks  the  calm  exterior  of  men  is  always  a  sure 
index  to  the  state  within.  It  is  just  as  true  of  others  as  you  know  it  to  be 
of  yourself,  that  they  are  not  as  free  from  anxiety  as  their  external  manner 
seems  to  imply.  Look  in  at  the  gay  assembly  whirling  in  the  giddy  mazes 
of  the  dance.  How  many  bright  and  smiling  faces !  but  are  all  as  merry 
as  they  seem  ?  Ah !  there  is  many  an  aching  heart  there  beating  beneath 
a  smiling  face. 

Think  you,  young  man,  that  your  reckless,  godless  companion  is  as 
calm  in  view  ot  the  future  as  he  would  have  you  believe !  Could  you 
follow  him  to  his  retirement ;  could  you  hear  the  voice  that  speaks  in  the 
sleepless  midnight  hours,  you  would  find  that  he  often  has  thoughts  and 
feelings,  fears  and  apprehensions,  which  make  his  way  hard. 

I  knew  a  young  man  who,  at  the  University,  when  he  graduated,  was 
famous  among  the  infamous  for  his  heaven-daring  blasphemy.  He 
has  told  me  since  that  after  having  often  defied  and  insulted  his  Maker  be- 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  95 

fore  his  companions,  he  has  gone  into  the  dark  recesses  of  the  wood  and, 
under  stripes  of  conscience,  in  an  agony  of  terror  and  remorse,  begged 
God  to  forgive  and  spare  him.  There  is  not  a  more  mysterious  power  in 
the  human  soul  than  that  faculty  which  we  call  conscience.  Placed  by  God 
in  the  heart  of  every  accountable  being  as  a  witness  for  himself,  it  meets 
the  transgressor  in  his  way  and  warns  him  of  his  guilt  and  danger.  Its 
voice,  for  a  time,  may  be  hushed,  but  it  still  speaks.  It  may  be  trampled 
under  foot,  but  it  rises  and  follows  and  warns.  A  long  and  determined  effort 
may  seem  to  conquer  and  destroy  it ;  but  it  never  dies.  Unseen,  and 
with  sword  unsheathed,  it  hovers  over  the  transgressor's  way  and  bides  its 
time.  And  when  the  command  comes,  it  smites  with  the  sword  of  Gideon 
and  of  God. 

Again,  the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard,  because  it  is  progressive  from 
bad  to  worse.  It  is  one  of  the  fearful  retributions  of  God's  vindictive  jus- 
tice that  he  frequently  gives  transgressors  up  to  their  own  hearts'  lusts,  and 
makes  sin  the  punishment  of  sin.  And  no  man  beginning  the  way  of  the 
transgressor  can  possibly  tell  how  far  and  how  rapidly  he  may  be  hurried 
to  an  end  from  which  he  would  now  draw  back  with  horror.  There  is  a 
progression  in  sin.  The  downward  road  is  an  inclined  plane,  which  men 
often  descend  with  fearfully  accelerated  velocity.  It  is  true,  God  does  not 
permit  every  transgressor  to  run  the  full  course  upon  which  he  sets  out. 
He  restrains  the  remainder  of  wrath  that  would  not  praise  him.  But  he 
does  not  restrain  all.  He  permits  many,  very  many,  to  drink  to  the  very 
dregs  the  cup  of  wickedness  which  they  mix.  And  God  has  promised  no 
one  beginning  the  way  of  transgression  that  he  will  restrain  him.  Every  one 
has  to  make  the  experiment  for  himself— whether  he  shall  go  on  and  be- 
come one  of  the  monuments  set  up  along  the  path  of  ruin  to  warn  others 
that  the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard.  I  know  that  vanity  and  self-love 
inspire  a  false  confidence  that  it  will  not  be  so  with  us.  The  heart  is  de- 
ceitful above  all  things  as  well  as  desperately  wicked.  When  Hazael, 
servant,  of  Benhadad  King  of  Syria,  came  to  inquire  of  the  Prophet  Elisha 
of  a  certain  matter,-  we  are  told  that  the  prophet  looked  upon  him  and 
wept.  Hazael  asked  him  the  cause  of  his  sorrow.  Elisha  recounts  the 
deeds  of  horror  which  he  foresees  Hazael  would  commit.  The  recital  fills 
Hazael  with  indignation  and  surprise;  and,  turning  to  the  prophet  he  said, 
*'  Is  thy  servant  a  dog  to  do  this  great  thing?"  The  man  of  God,  with 
vision  lighted  by  the  Almighty,  simply  replied:  "The  Lord  has  shown 
me  that  thou  art  to  be  the  King  of  Syria."     His  circumstances  were  to  be 


g6  ]\IEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

changed.  The  intermediate  steps  of  treachery  and  bloodshed  which  were 
to  bring  him  to  the  throne  were  to  be  passed  through.  New  motives  of 
ambition  and  avarice  and  revenge  were  to  be  brought  to  bear  upon  him,  and 
then  Hazael,  King  of  Syria,  would  be  prepared  to  do  that  at  which  this  Ha- 
zael,  servant  of  Benhadad,  shuddered  to  think.  It  is  a  hazardous  enterprise 
leaping  half  way  down  a  precipice.  And  this  is  what  the  transgressor  at- 
tempts, and  in  his  heart  believes  he  can  do  it  with  safety. 

Look  at  that  poor  wretch  in  the  street  wallowing  in  filth  and  drunkenness, 
filling  the  air  with  stench  and  blasphemy,  from  whose  bloated  and  besotted 
face  the  last  vestige  of  the  image  of  His  Creator  is  wiped.  He  did  not  come 
there  in  a  day.  He  was  not  always  what  you  now  see  him.  He  was  once 
a  smiling  infant  upon  a  fond  mother's  lap — the  joy  of  her  heart,  the  hope  of 
her  declining  years.  He  was  once  a  light-hearted,  joyous  boy.  He  was 
once  a  promising  young  man.  With  companions  as  gay  and  as  thought- 
less as  himself  he  commenced  walking  in  the  way  of  transgressors.  That 
way  seemed  strewn  with  friends  and  radiant  with  hope.  He  dreamed  not 
of  danger.  He  laughed  at  the  voice  of  wisdom  and  the  teachings  of  expe- 
rience. He  said:  "Rejoice,  O  young  man,  in  thy  youth!  and  let  thy 
heart  cheer  thee  in  the  days  of  thy  youth,  and  walk  in  the  ways  of  thine 
heart  and  in  the  sight  of  thine  eyes,  forgetting  that  for  all  these  things 
God  would  bring  him  into  judgment.  He  looked  upon  the  wine  when  it 
was  red,  when  it  gave  its  color  to  the  cup,  when  it  moved  itself  aright, 
forgetting  that  at  last  it  biteth  like  a  serpent  and  stingeth  like  an  adder. 
He  listens  to  the  voice  of  the  strange  woman,  even  to  the  stranger  who  flat- 
tereth  with  her  lips,  and  he  went  with  her  as  the  ox  goeth  to  the  slaughter 
and  the  fool  to  the  correction  of  the  stocks,  forgetting  that  her  house  is 
the  way  to  hell,  going  down  to  the  chambers  of  death.  Ah !  little  did  he 
think  when  he  set  out  that  he  was  entering  the  labyrinth  whose  dreary 
mazes  only  find  an  outlet  in  the  bottomless  pit.  And  yet  every  step  was 
natural  and  easy.  Link  by  link  the  tyrant  Habit  bound  him  with  unsus- 
pected chains.  Appetite  silently  gained  the  mastery  over  reason  and  con- 
science. One  kind  of  dissipation  led  to  another.  Dissipation  produced 
extravagance.  Extravagance  brought  poverty  and  want.  Then  came  a 
sense  of  degradation  and  crime.  On,  on,  he  went  in  his  fearful  career, 
seeking  a  lower,  and  yet  a  lower  depth  !  And  there  he  lies,  a  moral  wreck, 
hateful  and  hating — a  burthen  to  himself  and  a  nuisance  to  society,  with- 
out  friends,  without  character,  without  hope,  either  for  this  life  or  that 
which  is  to  come.     The  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard. 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  97 

But  I  admit  that  every  transgressor  does  not  run  such  a  course.  There 
are  ways  of  sin  which  are  not  such  ways  of  degradation.  There  are  paths 
of  ruin  which  are  decent,  and,  in  the  common  acceptation,  honorable. 
There  are  those  whom  the  Sacred  Scriptures  call  transgressors  who  are  in 
their  lives  amiable,  gentle  and  refined.  But  A\hatever  be  the  way  of  the 
transgi-essor,  it  is  still  hard — hard,  because  every  such  way  leads  to  a  di- 
rect and  fearful  contest  with  an  Almighty  Being.  God  is  the  sovereign, 
absolute  and  rightful  governor  of  the  universe,  having  a  right  from  his  very 
nature  to  give  laws,  which  are,  and  should  be,  binding  on  all  of  his  crea- 
tures. He  has  estabhshed  a  government — a  government  which  he  must  and 
will  maintain.  Against  this  government  every  transgi-essor  is  in  the  sight 
of  man  and  angels  in  defiant  resistance.  God's  authority  .he  has  set  at 
naught,  and  God's  laws  he  has  trampled  under  his  feet.  Disguise  it  as  he 
may,  he  has  set  up  the  standard  of  revolt,  and  every  step  brings  him  nearer 
to  the  time  when  the  contest  is  to  be  decided.  And  the  way  that  leads  to 
such  a  contest  is  a  hard  way,  for  let  the  potsherds  of  earth  contend  with 
the  potsherds ;  but  woe  be  to  him  who  contendeth  with  his  Maker  !  Oh ! 
what  shall  the  puny  arm  of  flesh  do  when  it  meets  an  angry  God  in  his  al- 
mightiness.  Yes,  God  has  set  himself  over  against  the  way  of  the  trans- 
gressor, and  pledged  his  word  and  his  omnipotence  for  his  destruction. 
"Seenow,"  says  He,  "it  is  I,  even  I,  and  no  stranger."  *' God  is  with  me. 
I  kill  and  I  make  aUve.  I  wound  and  I  heal.  Neither  is  there  any  that 
can  deliver  out  of  my  hand.  For  I  lift  my  hand  to  heaven  and  say,  I  live 
forever.  If  I  whet  my  glittering  sword,  and  mine  hand  take  hold  on  ven- 
geance, I  will  render  vengeance  to  mine  enemies,  and  will  reward  them  that 
hate  me."  The  temporary  prosperity  of  sinners  should  not  deceive  them. 
It  is  but  a  prelude  to  their  misery.  The  sunshine  in  which  they  rejoice  is  but 
ripening  them  for  destruction.  I  have  seen,  says  the  Psalmist,  the  wicked 
in  great  power,  and  spreading  himself  Uke  a  green  bay  tree.  Yet  he  passed 
away,  and  lo!  he  was  not;  yea,  I  sought  for  him,  but  he  could  not  be 
found.  Therefore,  although  pride  compasseth  him  like  a  garment,  and  his 
eyes  stand  out  \vith  fatness,  and  he  has  more  than  heart  can  wish,  yet 
surely  he  is  set  in  slippery  places ;  in  due  time  his  feet  shall  slide.  And 
because  God  has  thus  set  himself  in  the  way  of  the  transgressor,  it  is  a  hard 
way,  for  'tis  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  li\'ing  God. 

Again,  the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard,  because  it  leads  to  final, 
hopeless  and  everlasting  ruin.  Suppose,  as  is  not  true,  that  the  wicked  in 
this  life  enjoyed  all  the  happiness  of  which  their  nature  is  susceptible;  sup- 

7 


98  MEMOIR    OF    S.    13.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D, 

pose  that  every  wish  of  their  hearts  was  gratified,  every  hope  reahzed;  nay, 
suppose  their  way  lay  through  a  garden  as  beautiful  and  fragrant  as  Eden,  and 
at  last  terminated  in  everlasting  despair,  would  it  not  still  be  a  hard  way  ? 
The  Sacred  Scriptures  speak  distinctly  and  solemnly  of  the  end  to  which  the 
way  of  the  transgi-essor  leads.  Men  may,  if  they  choose,  deny  it,  and  try 
to  explain  it  away.  But  there  it  is  as  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  has  uttered  it. 
There  may  be  figurative  language  used;  but  these  figures  mean  something. 
God  is  no  trifler.  He  plays  no  paltry  tricks  upon  His  creatures.  He  said  to 
Adam,  in  the  day  thou  eatest  thereof  thou  shalt  die.  A  lost  paradise,  a  cursed 
earth,  and  the  sickness,  sorrows,  tears,  lamentations  and  woes  of  six  thou- 
sand years  have  proved  that  He  meant  what  He  said.  Ah !  it  has  come  to 
pass,  as  we  see  this  day.  And  so  will  the  threatenings  which  He  has  made 
about  the  second  death.  Then  all  the  dreadful  figures,  if  figures  they  be,  by 
which  the  sufferings  of  the  finally  impenitent  are  shadowed  forth,  wull  be  found 
to  be  dreadful  realities.  What  definitely  will  constitute  the  sufferings  of  the 
enemies  of  God  I  do  not  pretend  to  know,  and  I  shall  not  draw  upon 
imagination  for  a  picture  of  that  land  of  darkness,  death  and  long  despair. 
But  this  I  know,  when  the  transgressor  shall  hear  the  sentence  which  shall 
banish  him  from  God  and  all  good  beings ;  when  the  light  of  eternity  shall 
fall  upon  the  tablet  of  memory,  and  bring  out  in  distinct  and  legible  charac- 
ters the  sins  and  guilt  and  folly  of  a  misspent  life ;  when  the  sleeping  con- 
science shall  awake  to  sleep  no  more,  and  point  to  time  misspent,  talents 
unimproved,  and  fair  occasion  passed  forever  by ;  when  the  poor,  undone 
soul  shall  remember  gospel-calls  slighted,  gospel-offers  rejected,  and  gospel 
salvation  lost  forever ;  when  in  the  terror  and  dismay  of  that  dread  hour, 
the  poor  sinner  shall  cast  an  eye  back  and  find  no  help,  and  forward  and 
see  no  end ;  when  he  shall  lift  it  upward,  and  in  anguish  say. 

Farewell,  ye  happy  fields, 

AVherejoy  forever  dwells.    Hail,  horrors,  hail! 
Infernal  world  !     And  thou,  profoundest  hell, 
Receive  thy  new  possessor ! 

He  will  then  know,  as  God  in  His  mercy  grant  that  none  of  us  may 
ever  know,  that  the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard. 

Lastly,  the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard  because  he  has  to  make 
his  way  down  to  hell  over  many  bleeding  hearts  that  love  him  and  by 
the  very  cross  of  that  Savior  who  died  for  sinners.  O,  there  are  strong 
and  tender  ties  of  kindness  and  affection  drawing  transgressors  toward 
heaven !     Do  what  he  will,  the  godless  husband  sometimes  feels  a  rebuke 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  99 

for  his  sins  in  the  unobtrusive  and  earnest  piety  of  his  wife  which  he  can  not 
resist,  and  he  feels  that  the  way  is  hard  that  must  part  him  from  her  forever. 
The  heedless  young  man  sometimes  remembers  the  sunny  days  of  child- 
hood, when  his  gentle,  loving  mother  put  his  little  hands  in  hers  and  taught 
him  to  say,  "Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven,"  and  then  took  him  in  he»lap 
and  with  swimming  eyes  and  solemn  words  told  him  of  that  Heavenly 
Father's  love.  And  oh  !  the  memory  of  childhood  and  home  and  mother, 
all  make  him  feel  that  his  way  is  hard.  Nor  is  this  all.  There  is  yet  another 
obstacle  to  be  overcome.  Right  in  the  path  of  the  transgressor  God  in  his 
mercy  has  placed  the  cross  of  Christ.  When  every  other  restraint  is 
broken  through,  when  every  other  barrier  is  overleaped,  this  mightiest  and 
strongest  obstruction  on  the  way  to  ruin  has  to  be  surmounted.  As  the 
transgressor  pursues  his  ruinous  way  his  eye  catches  sight  of  One  hanging 
on  the  cross  in  agony  and  blood.  It  is  the  Son  of  God  making  an  atone- 
ment for  a  guilty  world.  As  he  draws  near  he  sees  His  eye  fixed  upon 
him,  and  he  hears  His  voice  in  melting,  pitying,  dying  love  calling  upon 
him  to  stop  and  not  trample  on  the  blood  of  atonement.  And  oh !  it  is  hard 
to  wade  through.  It  is  hard  for  one  whose  bosom  heaves  with  one  gener- 
ous emotion  not  to  feel  the  influence  of  redeeming  love,  not  to  heed  the  call 
of  pardoning  mercy,  not  to  yield  to  the  pleadings  of  Calvary.  Blessed 
Savior!  how  can  men  thus  reject  and  despise  Thee,  spurn  Thy  offered 
mercy  and  plunge  into  endless  ruin !  Surely  the  way  to  ruin  must  be  hard 
when  it  leads  by  the  cross  of  Christ. 

Dear,  dying,  impenitent  hearer,  what  can  I  say  more  ?  You  see  your  way 
is  dark  and  leads  to  hell ;  why  will  you  persevere  ?  ' '  Turn  ye,  turn  ye ;  why 
will  you  die  ?  "  Oh  !  think  of  these  things.  Take  not  another  step  in  that 
fearful  way.  It  may  be  your  ruin.  "I  entreat  you  by  that  compassion 
that  looked  down  from  the  height  of  the  sanctuary  to  hear  the  groaning  of 
the  prisoners  and  to  loose  those  that  were  appointed  unto  death.  I  beseech 
you  by  that  love  that  bled  on  Calvary,  by  that  patience  which  has  called  after 
you  from  your  childhood.  I  warn  you  by  aU  the  dreadful  weight  of  your 
guilt,  by  the  terrors  of  a  dying  bed,  by  the  solemnities  of  the  last  judgment. 
In  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the  Eternal  God,  I  charge  you  not  to 
make  your  bed  in  hell." 

Rev.  B.  M.  Hobson  says : 

"  My  acquaintance  with  Dr.  McPheeters  began  with  young 
Mr.    McPheeters  at  the  University  of  North  CaroHna,  when 


lOO  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

he  came  to  matriculate,  as  I  was  about  to  leave  college.  He 
was  then  a  very  young  man,  of  pleasing  persoimel,  and,  judg- 
ing from  a  little  observation  and  the  eagerness  with  which  his 
company  was  sought  by  young  gentlemen  from  the  Capital  of 
the  State,  I  concluded  that  he  must  be  a  young  man  of  extra- 
ordinary vivacity  and  piquancy  of  conversation.  His  associations 
embraced  a  few  whom  I  knew,  and  from  them  I  learned  that 
he  was  greatly  beloved  by  all  the  youth  about  Raleigh.  There 
was  then  a  buoyancy  about  him  that  was  not  the  result  of 
attrition.  It  was  the  incessant  bubbling  ot  his  own  good 
nature  that  lost  sight  of  itself  in  the  superior  enjoyment  of 
imparting  happiness  to  others.  The  young  discovered  by  a 
sort  of  intuition  that  he  was  unselfish  and  genial  in  his  nature, 
and  they  all  came  to  him  as  if  all  knew  him  to  be  their  friend. 
He  maintained  this  character  all  his  life,  and  it  was  the  great 
secret  of  those  warm  friendships  that  cheered  him  in  the  event- 
ful anxieties  beneath  which  his  health  at  last  failed  and  the 
man  of  God  fell. 

"  Years  pass  away,  and  his  career  as  a  minister  of  Christ 
begins.  His  first  call  to  become  a  pastor  is  from  the  Church 
in  Amelia  county,  Virginia,  where  I  had  been  his  predecessor. 
Here  his  lot  is  cast  among  a  cultured  and  generous  people, 
who  would  receive  a  young  man  of  his  character  w4th  open 
hearts  and  open  arms.  He  was  probably  never  happier  than 
in  association  with  that  people,  nor  could  they  have  been  hap- 
pier in  a  pastor.  Mutual  confidence  was  characteristic  of  that 
pastorate  for  many  years.  As  is  ordinarily  the  case,  some  of 
the  people  and  their  former  pastor  kept  up  a  correspondence, 
in  which  frequent  reference  is  made  to  the  young  pastor. 
Their  enthusiastic  admiration  -and  love  were  obvious  in  all 
their  allusions  to  him  and  his  work.  He  might  have  been 
more  useful  elsewhere,  but  never  more  beloved. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  IOI 

"When  he  made  a  visit  to  St.  Louis  he  passed  through 
Louisville  and  spent  several  days  with  me.  There  was  a  warm 
greeting  when  we  met.  '  I  have  not  felt  at  home  before  since 
I  left  Virginia/  and  at  once  resigned  himself  to  the;  luxury  of  a 
conversation  about  his  old  pastoral  charge,  deeply  interesting 
to  us  both.  I  felt  great  comfort  in  his  society  and  had  much 
anxiety  to  hear  him  preach.  When  the  Sabbath  came,  he 
preached  in  the  morning  and  at  night.  In  the  first  sermon  he 
did  not  appear  at  ease.  The  matter  was  good,  and  the  style 
and  arrangement  were  lucid  and  excellent,  but  there  was  lack- 
ing the  unction  to  give  it  power.  He  afterward  appeared 
depressed,  and  on  our  way  to  my  study  he  very  deliberately 
remarked,  'You  must  preach  to-night;  I  can  not.'  I  gave  him 
some  words  of  encouragement,  and  told  him  it  was  clear  that 
preaching  was  in  him  and  he  must  let  it  out.  The  conclusion 
was  soon  reached,  that  he  was  to  preach  at  night.  From  the 
time  we  entered  the  pulpit  in  the  second  service  there  was  an 
ease  and  naturalness  in  conducting  the  exercises  w^hich  gave 
assurance  that  he  felt  at  home.  And  when  he  arose  to  preach 
he  had  uttered  but  few  sentences  before  the  attention  of  the 
congregation  was  riveted  to  the  speaker.  He  continued  in  a 
strain  of  elevated  thought  and  animated  delivery  to  the  end  of 
the  discourse.  The  truth  gushed  from  his  lips  in  a  torrent. 
He  was  argumentative  and  convincing,  instructive  and  emo- 
tional. He  made  no  platitudes  but  cut  his  nearest  way 
to  the  thought,  and  evolved  another  and  another  in  such 
rapid  succession  that  it  excited  the  mind  of  the  hearer 
lest  something  might  be  lost.  It  was  this  feature  in  his  dis- 
courses that  caused  that  breathless  stillness  in  the  congrega- 
tion that  I  have  heard  so  frequently  attended  his  ministra- 
tions and  made  them  so  solemn  and  imposing.  He  was  from 
that  hour  installed  in  my  heart  as  one  of  the  sweetest  gospel 


102  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    MTHEETERS,    D.  D. 

preachers  I  had  ever  heard,  whose  prospect  of  usefuhiess  was 
unsurpassed. 

"  Such  was  he  in  the  earHer  part  of  his  ministry.     He  was 
eminently  attractive.     Obviously   the   young  would   seek   so 
captivating  a  ministry,  and   his  career  in  a  large  city  might 
have  been  brilliant.     With  strength  less  than  he  possessed,  it 
would  have  been  easy  for  one  to  have  become  a  star  preacher, 
and  afterward  to  have  reached  the  reward  of  mortification  and 
obscurity.     He  could  have  maintained  the  interest  with  which 
he  began.      But  with  no  perceptible  violence   he   gradually 
glided  into  a  change  more  consistent  with  the  idea  of  perma- 
nent relations.     The  diversion  which  he  accomplished  was  the 
clearest  evidence  of  the  excellency  of  his  judgment.     He  saw 
the  dangers  before  him — to  which  some  are  insensible — and  he 
avoided   them.      Years  afterward,  when    I  heard  him  in  his 
own  pulpit,  his  manner  was  calm  and  impressive.     His  sermon 
was  filled  with  thought  that  was  good,  rich  and   scriptural, 
which  he  sought  to  lay  heavily  upon  the  heart  of  the  Church — 
distinctly  enough  to  be  seen  and  weighty  enough  to  be  felt. 
But  few  men  could  have  sustained  such  a  change  in  his  pulpit 
manner  and  yet  have  appeared  to  advantage.     It  is,  however, 
but  justice  to  him  to  say  that  the  change  only  added  to  the 
merit  of  his  ministry  and  took  nothing  from  its  real  efficiency. 
"There  were  other  things  that  passed  in  those  few  days 
which  were  socially  and  personally  so  characteristic  of  the  man 
that,  though  it  be  difficult,  I  will  try  to  reproduce  here.     He 
spoke  of  leaving  his  home  and  well  nigh  all  earthly  ties  to  go 
into  a  large  city  and  there  engage  in  a  work  whose  issue  was 
uncertain,  and  how  inexpressibly  sad  these  reflections  had  made 
him;  that  he  had  felt  them  all  the  journey  as  he  came,  and 
that  his  state  of  sadness  had  been  obvious  even  to  strangers. 
When  he  got  into  the  stage  to  cross  the  Virginia  mountains, 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 


■03 


there  were  two  ladies  and  a  gentleman  who  were  constantly 
making  themselves  merry  at  his  woe-begone  expression  of  face ; 
and  suspecting  that  he  was  a  clergyman,  mistook  his  silence  for 
an  assumption  of  extreme  sanctity.  They  would  say  that  such 
a  thing  was  as  dull  as  a  clergyman,  another  was  as  prosy  as  a 
sermon,  and  something  else  was  too  holy  for  this  world.  He 
said  that  in  his  unhappy  frame  of  mind  every  shot  told.  He 
had  not  spoken  a  w^ord  for  hours  and  only  desired  to  be  quiet, 
which  one  of  these  young  ladies,  by  her  frequent  sallies  of  wit, 
most  persistently  interrupted.  At  last  he  could  stand  it  no 
longer,  and  began  to  look  around  as  if  he  were  sentient.  The 
young  lady  called  attention  to  that  early  blooming  peach-tree, 
and  how  beautiful  it  looked.  The  tree  was  on  his  side  of  the 
stage,  and  he  answered,  '  Yes,  it  is  beautiful,  but,  like  a  great 
many  pretty  girls,  too  forward  for  luck.'  After  that  he  got  on 
tolerably  well. 

"  He  stopped  at  a  little  town  on  the  Ohio  river  to  spend  the 
Sabbath.  It  was  a  silent  Sabbath,  without  any  church  or  place 
of  preaching,  and  he  could  see  no  means  of  gathering  a  congre- 
gation together.  Finding  that  it  would  be  a  solitary  day,  he 
spent  much  of  it  in  his  room ;  but  after  awhile  came  into  the 
reception  room,  where  he  saw  a  basket  of  books  and  an  old 
man  sitting  by,  who  proved  to  be  the  colporteur.  He  went  to 
the  books,  and  w^hile  looking  over  them  the  old  gentleman  drew 
near  and  said,  if  he  chose  he  could  read  one  of  the  books  that 
day  and  on  to-morrow  he  would  sell  him  one  if  he  thought 
proper  to  buy,  but  that  he  did  not  sell  on  the  Sabbath.  He 
said  to  the  colporteur  that  there  were  a  great  many  books  not 
worth  buying,  and  that  all  his  books  were  religious,  a  subject 
which  he  did  not  think  he  understood,  and  that  a  great  many 
people  did  not  think  much  of  such  books  any  w^ay.  The  old 
man  spoke  to  him  of  the  importance  of  the  subject  of  which 


104  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    MTHEETERS,    D.  D. 

they  treated,  and  asked  him  to  take  one  and  read  it.  But  he 
decUned  the  offer,  saying  that  he  was  afraid  he  would  not 
understand  the  subject  any  better,  and  that  his  mind  might  be- 
come more  confused  than  it  was  aheady ;  that  he  did  not 
beheve  in  books  as  much  as  some  people,  and  that  he  believed 
in  thinking  more  and  reading  less.  The  old  gentleman  began 
to  talk  to  him  with  much  earnestness  about  yielding  to  the 
influence  of  irreligion  and  not  examining  the  Scriptures  for 
himself;  pressed  upon  him  most  earnestly  the  necessity  of 
piety  in  a  young  man  who  \Vas  thrown  so  much  into  tempta- 
tion, and  exhorted  him  to  put  his  trust  in  the  Savior  as  the  best 
security  for  this  and  the  world  to  come.  He  said  as  the  old 
man  waxed  warmer  he  became  more  attentive,  which  being 
observed  by  his  old  friend,  he  proceeded  to  press  the  obliga- 
tion of  personal  religion  upon  him  with  great  fervency  and 
force.  He  would  sometimes  point  out  a  difficulty  or  make  a  show 
of  opposition,  to  see  how  the  old  colporteur  would  manage  the 
case,  and  admired  the  ease  with  which  the  old  man  could  speak, 
even  on  subjects  requiring  thought  and  learning.  'Well,'  said 
he,  '  when  I  retired  to  my  room  I  felt  greatly  refreshed,  as 
much  as  if  I  had  heard  a  right  good  sermon.'  The  good  old 
man  never  suspected  who  his  respectful  hearer  was.  He  en- 
joyed a  singular  pleasure  in  detailing  this  whole  scene,  and 
much  more  minutely  than  is  here  attempted,  inferring  the 
wonderful  nature  of  divine  truth  as  adapted  to  call  out  the 
powers  of  every  grade  of  capacity  and  with  arguments  suited 
to  move  the  highest  and  to  move  the  lowest.  No  doubt  other 
and  similar  events  occurred  in  his  life,  for  he  seems  to  have  had 
a  great  fondness  for  adventures  of  such  a  nature. 

"  There  never  was  a  man  of  mark  in  whose  presence  one  felt 
more  disembarrassed.  His  impress  was  that  of  a  good  and 
generous  nature   united  with  simplicity  itself;  not  a  simplicity 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  IO5 

condescending  to  littleness,  but  always  blended  with  sound 
sense  and  elevated  thought  cast  in  the  mould  of  the  Spirit.  In 
these  respects  no  man  more  truly  and  habitually  hid  himself 
behind  his  Master,  and  to  an  extent  greater  than  many  of  his 
intimate  friends  discerned.  He  did  not  get  out  of  the  sphere 
of  the  ministry  when  he  might  have  lawfully  gathered  a  laurel 
from  the  walks  of  literature  and  science.  He  had  a  good 
knowledge  of  architecture,  and  on  the  request  of  some  pubUc 
institution  in  St.  Lous  that  he  should  lecture  for  them,  I  earn- 
estly persuaded  him  to  accept  the  invitation,  on  the  ground  not 
only  of  his  knowledge  of  that  interesting  science,  but  because 
of  its  utility  to  a  large  and  rapidly  growing  city  where,  up  to 
that  time,  there  had  been  but  few  displays  of  architectural  taste. 
He,  however,  declined,  and,  judging  from  his  letters,  because 
it  did  not  fall  within  his  sphere  as  a  minister  of  Christ.  This 
jealousy  of  spirit,  repressing  publicity  and  notoriety,  was  a 
beautiful  reproduction  of  Him  who  was  '  meek  and  lowly  in 
heart,'  who  permitted  the  disciples  to  show  Him  the  beauties 
of  the  temple  only  to  open  the  way  for  uttering  the  sublime 
truths  of  his  mission. 

"  Nor  was  it  a  violent  counterpart  to  this  character  that  he 
could  detect  the  assuming  and  the  selfish,  who  must  be  seen 
and  heard  on  all  occasions.  At  such  people  he  might  choose 
to  laugh  in  his  good  nature,  but  if  persistent  in  their  inordinate 
specialty  he  could  administer  a  sub-acid  w^hich  easily  abated 
the  nuisance.  In  this  w^ay  he  has  sometimes  refreshed  a  little 
company  of  friends  and  sometimes  a  judicatory  of  the  Church. 

"  When  a  good  man  finishes  his  course,  there  is  a  hallowed 
satisfaction  in  thinking  over  all  that  he  was  in  himself  and  all 
that  he  was  to  the  Church.  There  was  nothing  to  detract  from 
this  satisfaction  in  all  the  history  of  Mr.  McPheeters.  If  there 
was  anything  over  which  one  might  feel  oppressed  and  turn 


I06  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

aside  to  weep,  it  was  over  that  intense  suffering  borne  for  so 
many  years  with  so  much  cheerfulness  and  laden  with  such  rich 
fruits  of  labor  and  love.  Every  sermon  that  he  preached  from 
that  couch  of  suffering  sounded  like  a  miracle  wrought  by  the 
Son  of  God,  and  to  all  that  heard  him  was  an  appeal  more 
touching  than  if  Jesus  had  said,  'Arise!  take  up  thy  bed  and 
walk.'  Blessed  be  God  for  such  grace,  by  which  '  he  being 
dead  yet  speaketh.' " 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B,    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  IO7 


CHAPTER    YI. 

REMOVAL     TO     ST.     LOUIS PEACEFUL     YEARS VISIT     TO     NEW 

MEXICO PROSPECT  OF    WAR PASTORAL  LETTER. 

For  five  years  Mr.  McPheeters  labored  in  Nottoway  and 
Amelia.  His  ministry  was  greatly  blessed.  The  tenderness, 
simplicity,  cordiality  and  genuineness  of  the  man  won  all 
hearts.  The  people  of  every  class,  white  and  colored,  pre- 
ferred him  in  the  pulpit  and  out  of  it  to  any  other  preacher. 
But  at  the  very  moment  when  his  popularity  was  at  its  height, 
a  call,  altogether  unsolicited,  came  to  him  from  St.  Louis.  The 
mind  of  the  young  minister  was  exercised  profoundly.  True, 
in  a  rural  district  his  labors  had  been  pre-eminently  successful, 
but  it  remained  to  be  seen  whether  the  talents  which  satisfied 
and  even  delighted  a  quiet  Virginia  congregation  would  meet 
the  demands  ot  a  flock  situated  in  the  bosom  of  a  great  com- 
mercial city.  In  such  a  crisis  ministers  do  not  always  deter- 
mine wisely ;  for  not  a  few,  in  prospect  of  prominence,  have 
separated  from  an  humble  but  appreciative  flock  to  ascertain 
afterward,  in  failure,  mortification  and  sorrow,  the  rashness  and 
folly  of  the  step.  In  the  ministry,  positions  which  are  gained 
by  diplomacy  do  not  ordinarily  yield  satisfactory  fruits.  There 
was  no  period  of  his  ministerial  life  in  which  Mr.  McPheeters 
did  not  realize  the  truth  of  this  position  in  an  extraordinary 
degree.  In  every  settlement  he  waited  on  the  Lord,  and,  as  a 
consequence,  his  ways  were  always  well  ordered.  His  friends 
were  as  numerous  in  Missouri  as  they  had  been  in  Virginia; 
he  was  as  successful  in  Pine  street  as  he  had  been  in  Notto- 


I08  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D 

way  or  Amelia.  The  oi^inion  here  expressed  is  fully  confirmed 
by  Dr.  Brookes,  who  says : 

"In  February,  1851,  Rev.  S.  B.  McPheeters,  then  preaching 
at  Amelia  Court  House,  Virginia,  received  a  pastoral  call  to 
the  Westminster  Presbyterian  Church  of  St.  Louis.  It  con- 
sisted of  a  few  members  gathered  principally  from  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church,  who  were  willing,  for  the  sake  of  extend- 
ing the  Redeemer's  kingdom  in  a  rapidly  growing  city,  to 
endure  the  trials  incident  to  such  enterprises  as  they  are,  usually, 
inaugurated.  They  had  previously  enjoyed  for  a  short  time  the 
ministrations  of  Rev.  H.  P.  Goodrich,  D.  D.,  now  deceased, 
and  Rev.  James  A.  Lyon,  D.  D.,  the  well  known  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Columbus,  Mississippi. 

"  Mr.  IMcPheeters  did  not  at  first  accept  the  call,  but  with 
characteristic  delicacy  returned  it  after  his  visit  to  the  Church, 
that  those  who  had  invited  him  unheard  might  be  left  unem- 
barrassed in  any  action  they  might  be  disposed  to  take  as 
the  result  of  personal  acquaintance.  It  was  cordially  and 
unanimously  renewed,  and  he  then  recognized  the  wdll  of  God 
directing  him  to  this  new  and  important  sphere  of  ministerial 
labor. 

"  In  May  following  he  was  married  to  ]\Iiss  Eliza  C,  daugh- 
ter of  Col.  John  Shanks,  a  prominent  and  influential  citizen  of 
Fincastle,  Virginia,  and  in  June  of  the  same  year  removed  with 
his  youthful  bride  to  St.  Louis,  where  the  next  ten  years  of  his 
life  were  passed  amid  constantly  increasing  evidences  of  his 
usefulness,  and  constantly  repeated  tokens  of  mutual  affection 
between  himself  and  the  people  whom  he  so  faithfully  served 
as  an  ambassador  for  Christ. 

"  In  December,  1853,  his  congregation  was  greatly  strength- 
ened by  uniting  with  the  Pine  Street  Church,  that  had  been  in 
connection  with  the  New  School  General  Assembly.     It  is  a 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  109 

Striking  proof  of  the  high  estimation  in  which  he  was  held  that 
the  Church  just  named  proposed  the  union,  and  insisted  that 
he  should  be  retained  as  pastor.  From  this  time  the  united 
body  assembled  for  worship  in  a  building  on  the  corner  of  Pine 
and  Eleventh  streets,  and  hence  was  called  the  Pine  Street 
Church,  while  the  house  in  which  the  Westminster  Church  had 
met  fell  into  other  hands. 

"  Another  significant  indication  of  the  warm  regard  which 
was  entertained  for  him  by  those  who  were  not  connected  with 
his  congregation  is  shown  in  a  remark  made  to  the  writer,  by 
Hon.  Hamilton  R.  Gamble,  who  was  the  leading  Ruling  Elder 
of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  and  who  stood  in  the  front 
rank  of  the  wise  and  faithful  disciples  of  our  Lord.  He  fre- 
quendy  said  that  when  Rev.  N.  L.  Rice,  D.  D.,  resigned  the 
pastoral  care  of  that  Church  he  would  have  nominated  and 
pressed  the  claims  of  Mr.  McPheeters  as  his  successor  if  he 
had  not  felt  that  it  was  wrong  to  disturb  the  peace  and  inter- 
rupt the  prosperity  of  the  Pine  Street  Church.  Such  a  decla- 
ration from  such  a  man  was  worth  half  a  dozen  ordinary 
pastoral  calls,  as  denoting  the  deep  impression  produced  by 
the  preaching,  and  especially  by  the  life  of  one  who  seemed  to 
win  his  way  without  effort  to  every  heart. 

"  In  June,  1859,  still  another  expression  of  the  respect  for 
his  ability  and  fidelity  which  he  easily  commanded  was  given 
by  the  Curators  of  Westminster  College,  who  unanimously  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  title  of  Doctor  of  Divinity ;  and  although 
he  was  a  man  of  too  much  good  sense  and  fervent  piety  to 
care  for  the  empty  honor,  that  is  of  more  than  doubtful  pro- 
priety when  bestowed  on  the  ministers  of  the  despised  and 
rejected  Jesus,  he  did  not  wish  to  attract  public  attention  by 
ostentatiously  declining  it.  He,  therefore,  suffered  it  to  pass 
unnoticed  as  one  of  the  petty  annoyances  to  which  he  was 


no  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

n  ecessarily  exposed,  while  duly  appreciating  it  as  the  utterance 
of  a  kindly  feeling  on  the  part  of  brethren  with  whom  he  was 
intimately  associated  in  the  cause  of  their  common  Master. 

"  If  any  are  led  to  suppose  from  what  has  been  said  that  he 
shaped  his  ministry  to  gain  popular  applause,  or  that  he  gave  an 
uncertain  sound  touching  Christian  doctrine  and  duty,  they  are 
entirely  mistaken.  He  thoroughly  despised  the  clap-trap  ser- 
mons that  have  rendered  so  many  pulpits  famous,  or  rather 
infamous,  and  no  one  could  be  more  bold  and  explicit  in  stating 
the  great  truths  of  the  sacred  Scriptures,  or  in  pressing  upon 
his  hearers  the  high  claims  of  God.  A  minister  of  some  dis- 
tinction in  Missouri  once  said  of  him  that  he  spoke  as  a  dying 
man  to  dying  men,  and  always  delivered  his  message  as  if  he 
felt  that  it  was  his  last  opportunity  for  addressing  his  hearers. 
This  conducts  us  to  view  him  first  for  a  moment  as  a 

PREACHER. 

"There  was  nothing  in  his  theme,  diction  or  delivery  to 
attract  the  common  crowd ;  but  those  who  habitually  heard 
him  were  always  instructed  and  profited,  if  they  attended  to  his 
a  mirable  expositions  of  the  Word  of  God.  He  constantly 
brought  into  the  sanctuary  'pure  oil  beaten  for  the  light,'  and 
his  discourses  were  generally  prepared  with  unusual  care. 
Even  his  AVednesday  evening  lectures,  though  delivered  to  a 
small  number,  were  frequently  written  in  full,  and  given  to  the 
faithful  few  who  attended  only  after  days  of  diligent  study 
and  devout  meditation.  He  was  a  laborious  searcher  for 
truth,  and  when  he  discovered  her  radiant  form,  as  portrayed 
by  the  pen  of  inspiration,  his  countenance  beamed  with  her 
reflected  glory  and  his  delicate  frame  was  tremulous  with 
emotions  of  delight.  Hence  intense  and  self-forgetful  earnest- 
ness marked  his   manner  in  the  pulpit,  as  he  hurried  forward 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  Ill 

with  singleness  of  aim,  not  to  excite  temporary  feeling,  but  to 
produce  profound  conviction ;  not  to  dazzle  by  the  splendors 
of  rhetoric,  but  to  impress  by  the  majesty  of  the  divine  Word. 
Gentle  and  forbearing  as  he  was  toward  those  who  held  the 
essential  doctrines  of  grace,  but  differed  from  him  on  minor 
points  of  belief,  he  had  no  patience  with  others,  who,  in  the 
garb  of  Christianity,  assailed  the  fundamental  articles  of  the 
Christian  faith.  When,  for  example,  he  was  called  to  defend 
the  divinity  of  our  Lord,  his  eye  would  blaze  and  his  voice  ring 
like  a  trumpet  in  denouncing  the  monstrous  and  soul-destroy- 
ing heresy  of  Unitarianism,  that  would  pluck  the  crown  from 
the  brow  of  God's  eternal  Son  and  rob  the  poor  sinner  of  an 
atonement.  '  An  emasculated  gospel,'  he  was  in  the  habit  of 
terming  it,  and  he  resented  the  insult  it  gave  to  his  Savior  far 
sooner  than  the  greatest  indignity  offered  to  himself.  The  same 
conscientiousness  and  fidelity  in  the  discharge  of  duty  that  dis- 
tinguished him  as  a  preacher  were  ever  exhibited  in  his  work  as  a 

PASTOR. 

"  Here,  indeed,  was  his  crowning  excellence,  for  he  was  fit- 
ted by  nature  as  well  as  by  grace  to  mingle  in  the  most  en- 
deared intimacy  with  the  members  of  his  flock.  His  sympa- 
thies were  so  tender  and  so  large  that  they  entwined  them- 
selves easily  and  gracefully  about  all  who  were  brought  under 
his  care.  He  literally  and  readily  obeyed  the  injunction  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  '  Rejoice  with  them"  that  do  rejoice,  and  weep 
with  them  that  weep.'  The  people  to  whom,  he  ministered, 
however  various  their  circumstances,  were  sure  to  find  in  him 
a  true  friend  and  a  wise  counselor  who  was  equal  to  any 
emergency.  Possessing  the  finest  instincts  of  a  gentleman  and 
the  highest  qualities  of  a  Christian,  yearning  for  social  inter- 
course rather  than  driven  to  it  by  the  stem  behest  of  duty,  un- 


112  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

selfish,  singularly  firee  from  the  gloom  of  moody  hours  that 
harass  those  who  are  summoned  to  a  perpetual  struggle  with 
a  fiercer  temperament,  giving  way  to  a  smile  or  a  tear  at  the 
bidding  of  his  own  generous  impulses,  and  yet  remarkably  cool 
and  deliberate  in  expressing  an  opinion,  it  is  hard  to  conceive 
of  one  better  endowed  lor  the  delicate  and  often  difficult  la- 
bors belonging  to  the  pastoral  office.  It  is  not  strange  that 
those  to  whom  he  sustained  this  sacred  relation  cherish  his 
memory  with  affectionate  reverence :  it  would  be  passing 
strange  could  they  ever  forget  him.  But  the  gifts  which  shone 
in  him  so  conspicuously  as  a  preacher  and  pastor  were  equally 
manifest  when  he  appeared  in  the 

CHURCH  JUDICATORIES. 

"  He  was  never  absent  from  these  meetings,  unless  provi- 
dentially detained;  and  as  he  had  made  himself  thoroughly 
familiar  with  the  Form  of  Government  and  Book  of  Discipline, 
he  was  justly  considered  a  most  valuable  member  ot  the 
Presbytery  and  Synod.  Few  men  of  his  age  understood  more 
clearly  the  great  principles  on  which  the  Constitution  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  securely  rests,  and  none  have  endured 
more  heroically  manifold  sufferings  in  defense  of  these  princi- 
ples that  have  been  so  grievously  outraged  during  the  past  ten 
years.  In  the  discussions  that  arose  during  the  sessions  of  our 
ecclesiastical  bodies  he  was  never  known  to  contend  merely 
for  victory,  and  he  never  resorted  to  the  tricks  of  the  poli- 
ticians to  carry  his  point.  He  was  as  far  removed  as  any  man 
from  self-seeking  in  his  aims,  and  in  this,  as  well  as  in  his  cour- 
teous manner  and  genial  disposition,  lay  the  charm  that  won 
the  affections  and  confidence  of  his  brethren.  He  would  state 
his  views  in  a  brief,  pleasant  way,  and  if  they  did  not  meet  the 
approval  of  the  majority,  he  would  accept  defeat  without  the 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEEILRS,    D,  D.  II3 

slightest  exhibition  of  annoyance.  But  his  opinions  were 
usually  regarded  as  sound  and  satisfactory,  and  he  seldom  had 
to  regret  their  rejection.  On  one  occasion  he  was  IModerator 
of  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis  during  a  painful  and  protracted 
trial  of  a  minister  for  immorality,  and  his  rulings  in  every  in- 
stance were  acquiesced  in  by  the  prosecutor,  the  defendant  and 
the  entire  Court.  Passing  from  these  more  public  scenes,  it 
only  remains  to  glance  at  him  in  his 

FAMILY 

His  wife  was  admirably  fitted  to  be  his  companion,  for  beside 
the  ardent  devotion  of  her  love,  she  watched  his  health  with 
unwearying  care,  and  helped  him  to  bear  his  burdens  in  a  thous- 
and ways  that  only  womanly  affection  and  intuition  can  suggest. 
Four  children  were  given  to  them,  two  sons  and  two  daughters, 
and,  perhaps,  there  was  no  happier  household  anywhere.  The 
brightness  which  glowed  in  his  face  when  he  was  the  center  of 
attraction  in  the  social  circle  did  not  change  to  a  frown  in  his 
home,  but  he  carried  with  him  the  same  pleasantry  and  playful- 
ness and  5weet  simplicity  that  made  him  a  universal  favorite. 
His  manner  toward  those  who  were  dearest  to  his  heart  was 
never  stern  and  forbidding,  but  he  quietly  maintained  his 
authority  while  treating  the  youngest  of  them  v/ith  the  famil- 
iarity of  an  equal.  He  earnestly  sought  to  bring  up  his  litde 
ones  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,  and  to  furnish 
them  a  practical  example  of  the  blessedness  which  faith  in 
Christ  can  impart  and  which  this  poor  world  can  neither  give 
nor  take  away.  As  the  result  of  his  faithful  training,  assisted 
by  his  faithful  wife,  they  did  not  grieve  him  in  their  advancing 
years  by  their  disobedience  and  waywardness,  but  all  who  en- 
joyed the  high  privilege  of  visiting  his  delightful  home  at  Mul- 
berry Avere  touched  by  the  tender  and  thoughtful  attention  of 
8 


114  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

his  boys  bearing  their  helpless  father  on  his  couch,  and  by  the 
gentle  eagerness  of  his  little  girls  to  promote  his  comfort. 

"  The  last  time  the  writer  saw  him  he  was  stretched  on  that 
couch  fron^  which  he  had  preached  with  such  marvelous  power 
'  the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  blessed  God.'  Not  only  the  calm- 
ness of  perfect  resignation,  but  the  light  of  a  heavenly  joy 
encircled  his  head  like  a  halo  and  caused  his  friends  to  gaze 
upon  him  with  unutterable  love.  He  did  not  seem  to  be  sick, 
and  he  was  far  removed  from  sorrow.  The  innocent  humor 
that  was  as  natural  and  necessary  to  him  as  breathing  came 
welling  up  to  his  lips  and  sparkling  in  his  eye  as  of  old.  Not 
a  word  of  bitterness  or  complaint  against  those  who  had  so 
cruelly  persecuted  him  was  uttered  by  the  meek  sufferer,  and 
in  the  shadow  of  his  precious  grave  indignation  gives  way  to 
sadness,  while  faith  views  him  in  the  presence  of  Jesus  and 
rejoices  to  know  that  'there  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling, 
and  there  the  weary  be  at  rest.' " 

The  most  eventful  period  in  the  life  of  Dr.  McPheeters  has 
now  been  approached;  and  while  the  facts  of  the  past  must  be 
faithfully  reported,  yet  the  method  of  their  disclosure  should 
indicate,  by  all  means,  a  spirit  not  only  guileless,  but  dignified 
and  calm.  For  certainly  the  biography  of  a  man  remarkable 
for  gentleness,  goodness,  meekness  and  faith,  ought  not  to  be 
made  the  vehicle  of  bitterness  and  partisan  rage.  The  truth 
is  not  dependent  upon  abuse.  The  records  of  history  are  more 
effective  when  the  story  which  they  tell  is  divested,  in  every 
part,  of  hypocrisy  and  partiality.  While,  therefore,  the  South 
cherishes  the  witnesses  for  the  truth  that  exist  in  her  own 
bosom,  she  can  afford  to  admit  freely  that  in  other  sections  of  the 
land  there  are  men  and  women  not  a  few  who  have  obtained 
like  "  precious  faith."  This  much,  in  the  start,  should  be  candidly 
and  gratefully  confessed.     Magnanimity  is  best,  for  malevolence 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D,  II5 

and  bigotry  bring  confusion  in  the  end.  And  yet  it  can  not  be 
denied  that  excellent  medicine,  the  surgeon's  probe,  the  truth 
itself,  often  give  pain,  simply  because  unusual  sensibility  belongs 
to  parts  that  are  diseased.  Nevertheless,  wise  men  seek  to 
know  their  infirmities,  whether  of  body  or  mind,  and  the  anti- 
dote is  accepted,  even  where  pain  and  inconvenience  are  the  ir- 
reversible results.  If,  then,  after  all,  the  narrative  that  follows 
savors  of  severity,  let  it  be  remembered  that  the  testimony  has 
been  rehearsed  in  the  language  of  the  witnesses,  and  the  record 
itself,  unaltered,  tells  the  whole  story. 

In  the  summer  of  i860  the  health  of  the  over-taxed  pastor 
required  rest  and  recreation.  Arrangements  were  accordingly 
made,  and  Dr.  McPheeters,  taking  his  entire  household,  set 
out  for  the  plains.  The  journey,  in  slow  stages,  v»^as  extended 
from  point  to  point  until  the  family  reached  New  Mexico.  A 
chaplain's  commission  having  been  procured  beforehand  from 
the  United  States  Government,  he  began,  without  delay,  to 
preach  to  the  soldiers.  He  also  taught  the  children  of  the 
military  officers.  It  was  during  this  stay  at  Fort  Union  that 
Dr.  McPheeters  calculated,  altogether  for  amusement,  the 
simplest  and  most  comprehensive  interest  table  to  be  found  in 
existence.  The  manuscript  of  this  production  is  in  the  hands 
of  his  sons,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  some  enterprising  pub- 
lisher will  bring  it  to  the  light.  In  reference  to  Dr.  McPheet- 
ers' partiality  for  figures,  the  Rev.  Robert  INIorrison  observes  : 

"There  were  seasons  in  his  last  days  when  the  only  way,  for 
the  time,  to  forget  bodily  pain  he  found  to  be  in  solving  diflft- 
cult  mathematical  problems.  Especially  was  he  pleased  with 
hard  algebraic  questions.  Near  by  him  were  the  works  of  dif- 
ferent authors  on  this  subject,  all  of  which  he  had  carefully  ex- 
amined and  mastered.  He  eagerly  asked  me  if  I  could  gra- 
tify him  by  mentioning  any  knotty  algebraic  problem.     I  told 


Il6  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

him  I  thought  I  could.  I  wrote  out  for  him  a  question  that  a 
teacher  of  considerable  eminence  and  experience  worked  at  for 
twelve  months  ere  he  solved  it.  Dr.  McPheeters  was  de- 
lighted at  the  prospect  of  something  that  seemed  really  diffi- 
cult. He  worked  day  and  night  on  the  question  alluded  to, 
and  at  the  end  of  two  weeks  obtained  the  solution.  While 
suffering  thus,  his  active  mind  sought  out  and  discovered  rela- 
tions of  numbers  not  mentioned  in  any  one  of  our  arithmetics 
or  algebras." 

The  pastor  remained  at  Fort  Union  until  the  spring  of  1861, 
when  the  news  of  the  terrible  conflict  in  the  States  was  borne 
across  the  plains.  These  war  tidings  produced  a  profound  and 
depressing  effect  upon  the  mind  of  Dr.  McPheeters ;  for  he 
was  no  Secessionist,  but,  like  the  lamented  and  gifted  Thorn- 
well,  of  South  Carolina,  clung  to  the  union  of  the  States  with 
honest  pride  and  unaffected  devotion.  And  as  a  citizen  he  was 
not  slow  to  express  the  most  intense  horror  at  the  prospect  of 
national  disruption  and  the  dreadful  carnage  which  must  inevit- 
ably ensue.  Moreover,  when  there  were  rumors  of  an  intended 
attempt  on  the  part  of  the  Confederates  to  capture  the  Fort, 
although  a  Southerner  by  birth  and  in  all  his  personal  sympa- 
thies, he  declared,  "though  the  United  States  Government  did 
not  commission  me  to  fight,  but  to  preach  the  Gospel,  yet 
should  this  Fort  be  attacked  I  shall  be  one  of  its  defenders." 
He  also  exerted  decisive  influence  on  the  officers  who,  under 
the  strong  temptation  of  sectional  sympathy,  appeared  to  waver 
in  their  fealty.  "As  a  citizen,"  he  said,  "I  hold  it  to  be  a  most 
important  and  indispensable  part  of  my  duty  to  God  to  obey 
the  law,  to  submit  to  the  authorities,  to  pray  for  them,  to  ren- 
der them  the  honor  due  their  several  stations,  and  to  promote 
peace  and  quietness.  These  things,  I  solemnly  declare,  I  have 
habitually  aimed  to  do." 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  I17 

In  addition  to  these  declarations,  Dr.  McPheeters,  on  May 
14,  1 861,  wrote  a  pastoral  letter  from  Fort  Union,  New  Mexico, 
to  his  congregation  in  St.  Louis,  in  which  the  pastor  carefully 
defines  his  position  and  entreats  his  beloved  charge  to  preserve, 
even  in  troublous  times,  "  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bonds 
of  peace."  That  communication  is  addressed  "  to  the  Elders, 
Deacons  and  members  ot  Pine  Street  Church,"  and  is  as 
follows : 

Dear  Christian  Brethren  :  It  is  to  me  a  subject  of  continual  gratitude 
and  thanksgiving  to  God  to  hear,  as  I  so  frequently  have,  of  your  continued 
prosperity  and  harmony.  As  far  as  I  know  or  have  heard,  "no  root  of 
bitterness  has  yet  sprung  up  to  trouble  you."  I  rejoice,  too,  in  the  evidence 
you  have  had  of  the  presence  and  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  bringing  so 
large  a  number  to  receive  and  rest  upon  Christ  for  salvation.  But  while 
these  and  many  other  things  have  made  me  to  rejoice,  there  is  one  thing 
that  has  filled  me  with  the  deepest  sorrow.  I  allude  to  the  political  condition 
of  the  country.  As  from  time  to  time  intelligence  has  reached  this  place 
from  the  States,  my  heart  has  been  filled  with  sadness  and  gloom  beyond 
the  power  of  words  to  express.  For  a  time  I  did  hope  that  a  merciful  and 
long-suffering  God  would  in  His  providence  interpose  and  shield  the  country 
from  civil  w^ar  and  its  necessary  horrors.  The  latest  news,  however,  leaves 
no  doubt  upon  my  mind  that  the  Divine  Arm  is  bare  to  smite  our  land  with 
His  terrible  but  righteous  judgment.  I  think  it  sure  before  this  communi- 
cation will  reach  you  that  a  civil  war  will  be  begun,  the  end  and  results  of 
which  no  human  foresight  can  predict.  It  has  been  to  me  a  matter  of  the 
greatest  regret,  that  at  such  a  time  I  should,  in  the  providence  of  God,  be 
separated  from  you ;  but  as  this  has  been  ordered  by  Him  who  orders  all 
things  well,  I  have  neither  murmured  nor  repined.  I  am  now  exerting 
myself  to  return  as  soon  as  circumstances  will  permit ;  and  yet  such  are  the 
circumstances  that  surround  me  and  the  difficulties  of  the  journey,  growing 
out  of  the  confusion  and  uncertainty  of  things  in  the  States,  that  I  can  not 
say  with  any  certainty  when  I  may  expect  to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
you  once  more  face  to  face.  Yet  I  have  a  hope  that,  if  arrangements  I  have 
made  or  tried  to  make  do  not  miscarry,  it  will  not  be  later  than  the  middle 
of  July.  In  this,  however,  I  may  be  disappointed,  and  I  can  only  say  that 
it  is  my  purpose  to  return  at  the  earliest  practicable  time.     In  these  circum- 


Il8  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

stances  I  feel  an  irresistible  inclination  to  address  you  a  pastoral  letter 
upon  some  points  which  it  seems  to  me  important  to  bring  distinctly  before 
your  minds  at  such  a  time  as  this. 

With  the  purely  civil  and  political  questions  which  now  shake  the  country 
to  its  centre  I  do  not  feel  called  upon,  either  as  your  pastor  or  as  a  minister 
of  Christ,  to  speak.  I  am  rejoiced  that  my  duty  as  well  as  my  inclination 
lead  me  into  a  higher,  purer  and  better  sphere  than  this.  No,  dear  brethren, 
I  wish  to  address  you  not  as  a  friend  or  advocate  of  any  party  or  section, 
but  as  an  ambassador  of  One  whose  "kingdom  is  not  of  this  world."  So 
far  from  wishing  to  swell  with  my  voice  the  din  of  words  uttered  by  any 
section  or  party,  I  wish  to  say  something  about  your  duties  to  Christ  and 
His  kingdom — something  about  the  obligations  and  dangers  which  belong 
to  you  as  Christians  living  in  the  circumstances  which  now  surround  you. 

It  is  evident,  upon  the  slightest  reflection,  to  one  acquainted  with  the  his- 
tory and  present  condition  of  our  city  and  its  inhabitants,  that  the  Churches 
in  St.  Louis  are  exposed  to  peculiar  dangers.  One  of  these,  and  the  most 
obvious  and  alarming,  is  that  of  being  rent  by  discord  and  strife  among  its 
members.  I  am  rejoiced  to  say  that  up  to  this  time  I  have  not  in  any  way 
heard  even  a  hint  that  such  a  state  of  things  exists  or  is  likely  to  occur. 
Without  exception,  all  the  information  that  has  reached  me  has  been  of  a 
very  different  character ;  still,  knowing  as  I  do  the  diversity  of  sentiment 
that  exists  in  the  city  upon  the  agitating  questions  of  the  day,  I  can  not 
doubt  that  the  same  diversity  exists  in  the  Churches.  It  is  manifest,  too, 
from  every  public  print,  that  late  events  have  intensified,  in  the  highest  degree, 
the  feelings  of  all  parties.  The  passions  of  the  whole  country  are  thoroughly 
aroused.  I  see  nothing  that  is  likely  to  allay  these  feelings,  but  much  that 
will,  I  think,  beyond  question,  greatly  excite  them.  The  members  of  the 
Church  are  thrown  together  in  social  intercourse,  in  business  relations,  and 
in  meetings  for  devotion,  and  who  need  be  told  that  in  such  circumstances 
there  is  the  utmost  danger  of  angry  and  bitter  discussions  arising,  which, 
even  from  small  beginnings  may  extend  to  numbers,  and  result  in  parties 
and  divisions  in  the  Church.  Nay,  there  is  even  danger  that  in  your  social 
meetings,  and  in  the  solemn  act  of  prayer,  some  one  may  forget  that,  in 
that  act,  he  is  called  upon  to  be  the  mouthpiece  of  the  congregation,  to 
express  the  common  desires  and  wishes  of  his  Christian  brethren,  and  in 
prayer  itself  he  may  so  present  his  own  private  and  party  views  as  deeply  to 
wound  and  offend  those  who  differ  from  him. 

What,  however,  I  wish  to  do  is  not  to  attempt  to  tell  how  the  evil  may 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  II9 

arise,  but  to  call  your  attention  to  the  danger  to  which  the  times  expose  the 
Church.  But  how,  it  may  be  asked,  shall  such  a  state  of  things  be  pre- 
vented ?  It  is  certainly  not  to  be  expected  that  political  matters  so  momen- 
tous as  these  which  now  engross  all  minds  will  not  be  discussed.  Nor  is 
it  to  be  expected  that  those  who  look  at  the  same  events  with  different 
feelings,  and  from  fundamentally  different  standpoints  are  likely  to  agree  in 
the  conclusions  which  they  reach.  It  must,  moreover,  be  admitted,  that  as 
between  man  and  man,  one  has  as  good  a  right  to  his  opinion  as  another ; 
and  it  must  be  further  admitted  that  men  may  differ  upon  such  matters  after 
having  made,  as  they  believe,  an  honest  examination  of  the  questions 
involved.  How,  then,  is  the  danger  to  be  avoided  ?  The  obvious  answer 
is,  by  all  the  members  of  the  Church  being  conscientiously  guarded  in  what 
they  say — by  the  exercise  of  charity,  and  by  a  spirit  of  prayer.  My  dear 
brethren,  at  such  a  time  as  this  the  sins  of  the  tongue  (at  all  times  a  fruit- 
ful source  of  sin)  are  likely  to  be  pre-eminently  the  sins  of  Christians.  It 
is  so  easy,  so  natural  for  men  excited  and  irritated  to  say  words  of  bitterness 
and  wrath  that  few  can  resist  the  temptation.  And  very  many  who  profess 
to  be  Christians  practically  say,  in  the  very  words  of  the  wicked,  "our  Hps 
are  our  own ;  who  is  Lord  over  us  ?  "  Yet  what  saith  the  Scriptures  ?  **  If 
any  man  among  you  seemeth  to  be  religious  and  bridleth  not  his 
tongue,  but  deceiveth  his  own  heart,  this  man's  religion  is  vain.  "  If 
Christians  allow  themselves  to  indulge  in  all  the  \indictive  and  abusive  lan- 
guage used  by  avowedly  irreligious  men,  where  is  the  evidence  of  subjection 
to  Christ — of  a  heart  renewed  after  His  image  ?  Therefore,  beloved 
brethren,  "let  your  speech  be  always  with  grace,  seasoned  with  salt,  that 
ye  may  know  how  ye  ought  to  answer  every  man."  "Let  all  bitterness 
and  wrath  and  anger  and  clamor  and  evil  speaking  be  put  away  from  you, 
with  all  malice,  and  be  ye  kind  one  to  another,  tender  hearted,  forgi\ang 
one  another,  even  as  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  hath  forgiven  you." 

There  were  several  other  matters  upon  which  I  intended  to  aay  a  word, 
but  I  am  prevented  from  doing  so  by  want  of  time.  One  thing,  however, 
I  can  not  omit.  I  have  sometimes  feared  that  the  unhappy  spirit  which  now 
pervades  and  divides  the  country  will  appear  also  in  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Church,  and  cause  a  division  there.  If  such  an  event  should  unfor- 
tunately occur,  I  am  exceedingly  anxious  that  you  should  not  be  hasty  in 
taking  any  steps  to  unite  with  either  side  in  the  division  that  may  arise — at 
least  that  nothing  shall  be  done  to  commit  the  Church  until  we  have  an 
opportunity  of  conferring  together.     I  do  not  think  that  any  of  your  inter- 


I20  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

ests  will  suffer  by  a  little  delay;  and  it  may  be  that,  even  if  the  next 
Assembly,  carried  away  by  the  excitement  now  pervading  the  country,  shall 
be  rent  in  twain,  that  the  Presbyteries  and  Churches  may  not  ratify  their 
acts.  But  my  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to  God  is  that  no  such  calamity  may 
befall  our  beloved  Church.  Whatever  may  be  the  results  of  the  present 
divisions  existing  in  the  country,  God  grant  that  the  Presbyterian  Church 
may  remain  a  united  and  harmonious  body. 

And  now,  dear  brethren,  farewell  until  we  meet  again.  I  have  written  this 
in  great  heaviness  of  heart,  amid  many  personal  anxieties  and  perplexities,  and 
I  doubt  not  that  it  will  find  many  of  you  pressed  by  your  own  sorrows  and  trials. 
But  let  us  not  be  discouraged.  If  we  love  Christ  and  are  faithful  to  the  end, 
there  is  a  bright  and  glorious  home  where  we  shall  meet — a  home  which 
shall  never  be  invaded  by  sickness  and  death — a  home  that  shall  never  be 
rent  by  strife  atid  faction — a  home  which  shall  not  be  startled  by  the  battle 
of  the  warrior  with  "confused  noise  and  garments  rolled  in  blood."  Thanks 
be  to  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  there  is  such  a  home  for  any  of 
us,  and  for  all  of  us.  O,  let  none  of  us  forget  that  home,  in  thinking  of  this 
which  is  not  our  home.  Let  none  of  us  fail  of  that  by  being  unfaithful  in 
this.  That  the  grace  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  you,  is  the  prayer  of  your 
affectionate  friend  and  pastor. 

At  the  appointed  time  Dr.  McPheeters  returned  to  St.  Louis. 
The  pastoral  letter  had  gone  before,  and  everything  promised 
well.  The  people  welcomed  the  preacher  with  open  arms  and 
sympathetic  hearts ;  for  now  more  than  ever  the  congregation 
needed  the  prayers  and  counsels  of  a  faithful,  devoted  and 
judicious  minister  "to  go  in  and  out  among  them."  The  very 
presence  of  a  pastor  so  long  known  and  trusted,  it  was  hoped, 
would  prove  "  an  excellent  oil."  Dr.  McPheeters  fully  com- 
prehended the  situation  and  determined  fearlessly  to  take  a  true 
and  scriptural  position  before  the  Church  and  the  world,  be 
the  sacrifice  what  it  might;  for  he  foresaw  that  in  the 
diversity  of  political  thought  which  divided  the  community,  it 
would  be  a  death-blow  to  ministerial  influence  in  any  man  to 
advocate,  as  a  partisan,  the  particular  views  which  were  enter- 
tained either  by  Federals  or  Confederates.     In  the  times  of  this 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  121 

distress,  therefore,  the  pastor  wisely  resolved  not  to  know  "  any- 
thing save  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified."  Having  taken  an 
oath  of  allegiance  to  the  United  States  Government  with  the 
purpose  in  good  faith  to  keep  it,  he  implored  his  entire  flock 
to  be  satisfied  with  this,  and  thereby  hold  up  the  pastor's  hands 
in  his  honest  effort  to  be  the  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus  to  all. 
How,  under  these  circumstances,  the  spirit  of  persecution  arose 
will  be  faithfully  developed  in  the  sequel. 


122  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 


CHAPTER     YII. 

COLUMBUS    ASSEMBLY  —  CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    G.    P.    STRONG 
AND  OTHERS. 

In  the  year  1862  the  Assembly  met  at  Columbus,  Ohio.  At 
the  appointed  time  Dr.  R.  J.  Breckinridge  introduced  a  paper 
which  abounds  in  bitter  epithets  and  the  most  discreditable 
charges  against  the  Presbyterians  of  the  South.  It  is  alleged  that 
they  have  been  guilty  of  "treason,"  "rebellion,"  "anarchy," 
"violence,"  "fraud,"  "disloyalty,"  "schism,"  "disturbance," 
"conspiracy,"  "  horrible  treason,"  "disloyal  and  traitorous  at- 
tempts," "blasphemy,"  &c.  The  perusal  of  this  document 
excites  emotions  peculiarly  painful,  when  it  is  remembered  that 
its  author  was  nourished  and  brought  up  in  the  bosom  of  the 
Southern  Church,  and  that  her  people  in  former  days  had  zeal- 
ously defended  him  against  aspersions  repeated  over  and  over 
again  by  ecclesiastical  enemies  at  the  North.  It  was  hoped 
that  in  the  hour  of  her  calamity  and  sorrow  the  man  whom  she 
had  delighted  to  honor  would,  to  a  measurable  extent  at  least, 
be  influenced  by  the  memories  and  associations  of  the  past. 
These  expectations,  however,  were  miserably  disappointed. 
Dr.  Breckinridge  not  only  denounced  "Christian  people  through- 
out all  the  revolted  States,"  but  having  exhausted  the  catalogue 
of  invective  in  that  direction,  turns  to  the  gentle  pastor  of 
Pine  Street  Church  and  proclaims  him  a  traitor.  To  the  cruel 
accusation  brought  against  himself.  Dr.  McPheeters  replied : 
"  Sir,  the  Church,  as  such,  owes  its  allegiance  only  to  Jesus 
Christ.  His  kingdom  is  the  only  kingdom  she  is  bound  to 
uphold.     His  Word  is  the  only  constitution  that  she  recognizes 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  123 

as  authoritative  or  is  at  liberty  to  interpret.  The  constitution 
of  the  State  binds  the  citizen.  The  citizen  by  becoming  a 
Christian  comes  into  no  new  relations  to  the  State.  If  you 
shall  pass  this  paper  I  shall  stand  in  my  lot  and  do  my  duty. 
Your  doing  what  I  believe  to  be  wrong  will  not  justify  me  in 
doing  wrong.  For  one  I  have  already  stood  for  a  year  under 
a  deliverance  which  in  conscience  I  believe  to  be  ecclesiastically 
wrong.  If  you  pass  this  paper  I  will  try  to  make  the  best  of  it. 
So  long  as  you  do  not  require  me  to  do  or  say  anything  which, 
in  the  sight  of  God,  I  believe  to  be  wrong,  and  do  not  hinder 
doing  or  saying  anything  I  believe  to  be  right — as  I  do  not 
think  you  intend  to  do  such  a  thing — I  expect  to  remain  true 
to  all  my  duties  to  the  Church." 

Notwithstanding  all  that  was  done,  in  the  judgment  of  im- 
partial minds,  Dr.  McPheeters  clearly  gained  the  advantage 
of  Dr.  Breckinridge  on  the  floor  of  the  Assembly,  and  from 
this  time  onward,  in  the  opinion  of  the  country  at  large,  one  man 
"increased"  while  the  other  just  as  manifestly  "decreased." 

Encouraged,  no  doubt,  by  the  action  of  the  Columbus 
Assembly,  a  small  faction  in  the  Pine  Street  congregation  ad- 
dressed to  Dr.  McPheeters  a  communication,  dated  St.  Louis, 
June  1 8th,  in  which  they  make  minute  inquiries  in  regard  to 
the  pastor's  loyalty,  and  also  declare  "  that  the  baptism  of  the 
child  of  Samuel  Robbins,  in  our  Church,  on  the  8th  instant,  by 
the  name  of  that  arch  rebel  and  traitor,  Sterling  Price,  we  regard 
as  a  premeditated  insult  to  the  government  and  all  its  friends 
in  the  Pine  Street  Church.  We  consider  it  nothing  less  than 
a  public  and  sacrilegious  prostitution  of  a  sacred  ordinance  of 
God's  house,  to  the  gratification,  on  his  part,  of  the  most  con- 
temptible and  malicious  feelings  of  hostility  to  'the  powers  that 
be.'  "  This  letter  was  signed  by  George  P.  Strong  and  twenty- 
nine  others.     On  July  8th  Dr.  McPheeters  replied  as  follows : 


124  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

Dear  Brethren  :  Your  comniunicaton,  dated  June  i8  (the  day  after  I 
had  left  the  city  for  a  trip  to  St.  Paul),  was  handed  to  me  immediately  on 
my  return,  with  the  request  that  I  would,  at  my  convenience,  give  you  a 
written  answer. 

To  go  into  a  full  consideration  of  all  that  the  communication  contains 
would  require  a  much  longer  reply  than  I  deem  it  necessary  for  me  to  make. 
I  shall,  therefore,  omit  everything  but  such  points  as,  after  a  careful  read- 
ing of  the  paper,  I  consider  important  or  proper  for  me  to  notice. 

Your  communication  relates  to  my  views  and  conduct  as  a  minister  of 
the  Gospel,  and  also  to  my  views  and  conduct  as  a  citizen  of  the  Common- 
wealth ;  and  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  the  duties,  obhgations  and 
responsibilities  which  grow  out  of  this  twofold  relation  of  minister  and 
citizen  should  not  be  confounded.  It  is  not  a  distinction  without  a  differ- 
ence, unless  the  distinction  between  the  Church  and  the  State  is  also  a  dis- 
tinction without  a  difference.  In  discharging  my  duties  as  a  minister  of 
the  Gospel  I  am  bound  by  the  Word  of  God,  and  I  have  accepted  the 
standards  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  as  a  true  exposition  of  the  Scriptures 
in  relation  both  to  faith  and  practice,  and  my  responsibility  for  the  faithful 
discharge  of  these  duties  is  to  the  Head  of  the  Church,  and  under  Him  to 
the  Presbytery  to  which  I  belong.  In  the  discharge  ot  my  distinctive 
duties  as  a  citizen  I  am  bound  by  the  laws  of  the  land,  and  my  responsi- 
bility is  to  the  civil  authority ;  but,  since  my  civil  duties  are,  at  the  same 
time,  religious  duties,  my  Presbytery  may  also  inquire  into  my  neglect  of 
any  of  my  civil  duties.  I  mention  these  very  plain  things  for  the  purpose 
of  setting  at  rest  any  claim  which  you,  brethren,  or  any  number  of  gentle- 
men, have,  either  as  Church  members  or  as  citizens,  to  demand  as  a  7natter 
of  right  an  answer  from  me  to  such  a  paper  as  that  presented.  It  is  per- 
fectly manifest  that  no  such  right  exists,  and  if  it  were  distinctly  and 
formally  claimed,  I  would  be  compelled  to  resist  it.  It  is,  moreover,  with 
me  a  question  of  very  grave  doubt  whether  I  should  permit  feelings  of 
courtesy  and  personal  regard  to  lead  me  even  to  appear  to  lend  the  influ- 
ence of  my  example  to  a  practice  which,  if  it  should  become  common, 
would,  I  am  persuaded,  destroy  the  harmony  and  mar  the  peace  of  all  our 
Churches.  For,  brethren,  if  you  may  ask  of  me  as  your  pastor  a  written 
answer  to  a  paper  going  over  the  whole  field  of  a  great  national  convulsion, 
involving  not  simply  questions  of  moral  right  and  wrong,  but  also  ques- 
tions of  constitutional  law  and  most  intricate  questions  of  State  policy,  then 
what  questions  may  you  not  ask  and  demand  of  me  my  answer  ?     If  a 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 


125 


pastor  begins  such  a  course,  upon  what  principle  can  he  ever  stop?  If  one 
portion  of  his  congregation  may  rightfully  and  wisely  call  upon  him  to  de- 
fine his  position  on  public  affairs,  may  not  another  portion  do  the  same? 
If  wise  and  judicious  inembers  of  a  congregation  begin  such  a  course,  may 
not  the  unwise  and  injudicious  feel  called  upon  to  imitate  their  example  ? 
Does  not  the  principle,  if  once  admitted,  and  the  practice,  if  once  estab- 
lished, throw  every  pastor  helpless  into  the  hands  of  any  party  or  faction 
that  may  at  any  time  arise  in  his  congregation  ?  But  while  I  feel  con- 
strained to  call  your  attention  to  the  very  dangerous  principle  which  such  a 
course  involves,  and  while  I  must  and  do  solemnly  declare  that  I  will  not 
admit  this  to  be  a  precedent  by  which  I  will  be  governed  in  the  future,  yet 
such  is  my  disposition  to  treat  you  personally  with  courtesy,  and  your  wishes 
with  respect,  that  I  shall  proceed  to  make  such  statements  as  in  my  judg- 
ment should  be  satisfactory. 

As  to  my  position  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  those  of  you  who  have 
been  longest  connected  with  my  church  will  bear  me  testimony  that  from 
the  time  I  came  to  this  city,  now  more  than  eleven  years  ago,  to  the  present 
day,  I  have  never  on  any  occasion,  or  under  any  pretext,  introduced 
into  the  pulpit  any  matter  of  a  political  kind ;  that  I  have  uniformly  con- 
demned the  practice  as  contrary  to  the  example  of  the  inspired  Apostles — 
as  evil  in  itself,  evil  to  the  Church,  and  evil  to  the  State. 

I  have  over  and  often,  and  long  before  our  present  troubles  began,  ex- 
plained to  you  my  views  of  the  relation  of  the  Church  and  the  State ;  how 
both  are  ordained  of  God,  but  ordained  for  different  purposes ;  that  they 
move  in  different  orbits,  have  different  ends  to  accomplish,  and  that  they 
are  independent  the  one  of  the  other.  Upon  all  these  subjects  my  convic- 
tions, so  far  from  being  changed,  are  confirmed;  and  whether  you  agree 
with  me  or  not,  I  can  and  do  appeal  to  every  one  of  you,  and  to  all  who 
know  me,  that  my  whole  teaching  and  practice  upon  these  subjects  have 
been  uniform  and  consistent  during  the  entire  time  I  have  ministered  to 
you ;  and  I  can  only  say  that  my  conduct  and  views  upon  all  these  matters 
being  the  result  of  religious  convictions,  that  until  these  convictions  are 
changed  there  is  nothing  left  for  me  but  steadfastly  to  continue,  through 
good  report  and  through  evil  report,  to  do  as  I  have  done.  I  certainly 
shall  not  allow  idle  and  baseless  rumors  circulated  through  the  community 
by  silly  or  malicious  persons  to  turn  me  from  a  course  I  have  deliberately 
and  long  since  adopted  as  a  matter  of  conscience. 

It  was  during  my  absence  in  New  Mexico  that  the  angry  clouds,  which 


126  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

had  long  lowered  above  the  political  horizon,  burst  upon  the  land  in  the 
fearful  storm  of  civil  war.  With  startling  rapidity  the  country  passed  from 
argument  to  arms.  When  I  got  back  the  discussion  M'as  over — the  war 
begun.  All  this  I  learned  with  feelings  of  unutterable  sorrow,  as  from 
time  to  time  I  recjeived  intelligence  from  the  States.  I  saw  then  as  dis- 
tinctly as  I  see  now,  that  the  country  was  to  be  involved  in  a  fierce,  bloody 
and  desolating  war.  Isolated  as  I  then  was,  outside  of  the  currents  that 
were  moving  the  whole  country,  I  considered  carefully  and  prayerfully 
what  course  I  would  pursue  upon  my  return.  I  will  not  pretend  that  the 
conclusion  I  reached  was  absolutely  correct.  I  will  even  admit  that  a  con- 
stitutional abhorrence  which  I  have  to  strife  of  every  kind  may  have  unduly 
influenced  my  mind.  Be  that  as  it  may,  I  formed  the  deliberate  purpose 
to  have  just  as  little  to  do  with  the  political  troubles  of  the  country  as  I 
could — to  exert  myself  to  the  utmost  to  calm  the  passions  and  soothe  the 
asperities  of  all  parties,  and  in  my  pulpit  to  hold  up  these  great  truths  of 
the  gospel  which,  important  at  all  times,  are  especially  important  in  times 
like  this.  I  believed  then,  and  I  believe  now,  that  in  this  way  I  should 
render  the  best  service  it  was  in  my  power  to  render,  either  to  the  Church 
or  to  the  State.  The  course  thus  marked  out  I  can  honestly  say  I  have 
endeavored  to  follow. 

There  are  two  matters  mentioned  in  the  communication  before  me  which 
require  me  to  say  a  word  by  way  of  explanation.  The  first  relates  to  the 
baptism  of  the  child  of  Mr.  Robbins,  by  the  name  of  Sterling  Price,  which 
seems  to  have  been  the  immediate  occasion  of  this  paper.  Now,  I  wi-sh 
you  to  bear  in  mind  that  my  entire  agency  in  that  whole  matter  was  just  what 
was  see7i  by  the  co7igregation,  and  no  more.  The  parents  never  consulted  me 
as  to  the  name  their  child  was  to  bear,  nor  did  either  of  them  ever  tell  me 
what  it  was  until,  in  the  very  act  of  administering  the  sacrament,  I  asked 
them.  I  clearly  had  no  option  in  the  matter.  Our  Directory  of  Worship, 
chapter  vii,  section  5,  says:  "The  minister  is  to  pray  for  a  blessing  to 
attend  the  ordinance,  after  which,  calling  the  child  by  its  name,  he  is  to 
say— I  baptize  thee,  &c.  This  is  all  that  I  did.  I  had  no  right  to  decline 
doing  it,  and  it  never  once  crossed  my  mind  that  I  was  doing  anything  for 
which  any  reasonable  person,  knowing  the  circumstances,  could  or  would 
blame  me.  Nor  do  I  see  how  any  one  of  you,  placed  in  my  circumstances, 
could  have  acted  differently  without  assuming  an  authority  which  did  not  be- 
long to  the  ministerial  office.  One  of  the  signers  of  this  paper  is  the  clerk  of 
Session.     Will  he  refuse  to  enter  that  child's  name  upon  the  Church  Reg- 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  127 

ister  ?  I  suppose  not.  But  why,  I  ask,  should  my  simply  official  act  in 
pronouncing  a  name  be  considered  in  a  different  light  from  his  official  act  in 
recording  the  same  name  upon  the  public  register  of  the  Church  ?  And  I 
can  not  help  saying,  that  when -this  paper  charges  Mr.  Robbins  with  "sac- 
rilegeously  prostituting  a  sacred  ordinance  of  God's  house  to  the  gratification 
of  contemptible  and  malicious  feelings  of  hostility  to  the  powers  that  be," 
that  in  my  judgment  such  language  is  exceedingly  harsh  and  uncharitable — 
for  I  have  it  from  his  own  lips,  that  he  had  no  purpose  of  doing  any  such 
thing  as  is  attributed  to  him.  We  should  not  charge  any  one  with  motives 
which  they  distinctly  deny. 

The  other  point  upon  which  I  wish  to  say  a  word  is  in  relation  to  the 
public  prayer  in  the  sanctuary  for  the  civil  authorities.  Paul,  in  his  first 
epistle  to  Timothy,  who  was  a  minister,  exhorts  him  "to  pray  for  kings  and 
all  who  are  in  authority,  that  we  (Christians)  may  lead  a  quiet  and  peacea- 
ble life  in  all  godliness  and  honesty."  The  rule  here  laid  down  plainly 
makes  it  the  duty  of  all  who  conduct  the  public  worship  of  God's  house  to 
ask  for  God's  blessing  upon  all  the  civil  rulers  of  the  earth;  for  the 
expresssion  is  not  the  king,  but  "for  kings  and  all  who  are  in  authority," 
and  the  idea  is  that  God  having  a  Church  scattered  through  the  world,  the 
Church  is  to  pray  that  God  would  so  bless  and  guide  all  civil  rulers  that 
they  may  not  hinder  the  Church  in  its  work.  If,  however,  it  is  a  duty  to 
pray  for  the  civil  rulers  in  all  the  world,  much  more  is  it  the  duty  of  the 
Church  to  pray  for  those  who  stand  in  immediate  relation  to  particular  por- 
tions of  it.  But  when  the  Church  of  God  unites  in  prayer  for  the  civil 
authorities  there  is  no  expression  on  her  part  of  approbation  or  of  disappro- 
bation of  either  their  personal  character  or  civil  administration.  The  duty  has 
remained  the  same  through  all  the  changes  of  men  and  measures  which 
have  taken  place  for  eighteen  hundred  years.  And  when  this  inspired  com- 
mand was  given  to  ministers  Nero  was  Emperor  of  Rome.  As  a  minister, 
and  in  my  official  capacity,  I  am  bound — yes,  and  private  Christians,  too, 
are  bound — to  pray  for  those  in  authority  over  us,  w^hether  we  Hke  or  dis- 
like, whether  we  approve  or  disapprove  of  the  civil  acts  done  by  them. 
This  is  very  plain ;  and  it  is  just  as  plain  that  neither  the  Scriptures,  the 
Church  of  God,  nor  Christianity  k7iow  anythmg  of  prayer  as  a  means  of  show- 
ing loyalty,  or  of  praying  up  to  the  requirements  of  some  popular  stajidard 
of  loyalty.  If  I  were  living  in  the  dominions  of  the  Sultan  of  Turkey  I 
would  pray  for  kings  and  all  who  are  in  authority,  and  especially  for  him, 
and  had  I  lived  under  the  administration  of  Washington,  I  would  have  done 


128  MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

no  more.  Of  course,  then,  I  have  no  objections,  and  in  the  very  nature  of 
the  case  could  have  none,  to  "praying  for  the  President  of  these  United 
States."  It  is  just  what  I  have  done  during  every  administration  since  I 
became  a  minister,  and  it  is  just  what  I  expect  to  do.  It  is  true,  I  seldom. 
use  that  form,  having  generally  offered  prayer  for  kings  and  all  who  are  in 
authority,  and  more  especially  for  those  who  are  in  authority  over  us.  My 
reasons  for  this  are — First,  it  is  a  Scriptural  form ;  second,  it  is  very  com- 
prehensive ;  third,  it  is  in  general  the  form  I  have  used  since  the  beginning 
of  my  ministry.  And  it  seems  to  me  as  simply  ludicrous  to  say  that  the  form — 
"those  who  are  in  authority  over  us" — leaves  the  matter  in  doubt  as  to  the 
person  meant.  If  any  one  feels  any  doubt  as  to  "who  are  in  authority 
over  us,"  and  will  express  that  doubt  publicly,  his  doubts  will  speedily  be- 
solved. 

Nov/,  as  to  my  purposes  as  a  citizen,  I  have  but  a  word  to  say.  Whatever 
duties  I  have  learned,  or  may  hereafter  learn,  from  the  Word  of  God  (which 
is  my  rule  of  faith  and  practice)  to  be  incumbent  upon  me,  I  shall  endeavor 
in  time  to  come,  as  I  have  in  time  past,  to  perform.  Before  I  came  to  this 
State  I  did  on  two  occasions  take  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States.  To  me  that  oath  has  not  grown  old.  The  God  by 
whose  name  I  swore  is  the  "living  God."  When  the  Convention  of  the 
State  of  Missouri,  at  its  last  session,  enacted  a  law  requiring  an  oath  from 
those  who  solemnize  the  civil  part  of  the  marriage  contract,  I  felt  it  to  be 
my  duty  to  take  it.  I  expressed  my  purpose  to  do  so  before  I  left  home 
for  St.  Paul.  I  have  taken  it  since  my  return.  I  mention  these  dates  to 
show  you  that  neither  this  paper  nor  any  circumstances  which  have  subse- 
quently occurred  influenced  my  decision  on  that  point. 

In  conclusion,  brethren,  let  me  say  that  this  reply  has  been  dictated  by 
feelings  of  kindness ;  my  great  aim  has  been  to  promote  the  peace  and  unity 
of  the  Church,  and  to  prevent  any  root  of  bitterness  from  springing  up  to 
trouble  us.  I  hope  you  will  receive  it  in  the  same  spirit  in  which  it  is 
written.  When  I  was  ordained,  I  vowed  before  God  and  His  Church  that 
I  would  "study  the  peace,  unity  and  purity  of  the  Church."  All  of  you 
who  are,  or  have  been,  office-bearers  in  the  Church  have  taken  and  are 
bound  by  the  same  solemn  vows,  and  every  member  of  the  Church  is  under 
the  same  obligation.  There  is  absolutely  no  question  now  before  us  affect- 
ing the  purity  of  the  Church.  There  is,  therefore,  nothing  which,  in  the 
sight  of  God,  can  justify  any  of  us  in  disturbing  \X.% peace  and  unity.  Up  to- 
the  present  time,  by  the  great  mercy  of  God,  our  Church  has  moved  on  in 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D,  12^ 

peace  and  harmony.  There  has  been,  as  there  should  have  been,  a  dispo- 
sition to  exercise  mutual  forbearance  upon  points  about  which  you  differed.- 
Let  this  continue.  It  is  what  the  Lord  Jesus  requires  of  us  all.  The 
interests  we  meet  in  God's  house  to  promote  are  infinitely  above  any  or  all 
the  interests  of  time.  We  are  not  only  citizens  of  the  State,  but  we 
are  also  citizens  of  a  kingdom  not  of  this  world.  The  dreadful  contest  now 
going  on  is  one  to  which  the  Church,  as  such,  is  not  a  party ;  let  us  all  see 
to  it  that  she  is  not  made  a  victim.  Those  who  handed  me  this  paper  told 
me  that  I  was  to  consider  it  as  coming  from  my  friends.  I  have  so  treated 
it ;  and  this  answer  is  not  written  with  any  design  of  being  published ;  and 
I  give  it  to  you  with  the  express  understanding  that  no  part  of  it  is  to  be 
published  without  my  consent. 

After  this  letter  of  Dr.  McPheeters  reached  its  destination 
certain  members  of  the  "  Pine  Street  Church  who  were  in  favor 
of  sustaining  the  Government  of  the  United  States  in  its  efforts 
to  put  down  the  rebeUion  raised  against  it,  held  a  meeting  on 
the  15th  of  October,  1862,  when  Mr.  Joshua  H.  Alexander  was 
called  to  the  Chair  and  Richard  Holme  api^ointed  Secretary." 

By  request  of  the  meeting,  the  answer  of  Rev.  S.  B.  McPheeters  to  the 
communication  addressed  to  him  in  June  last,  inquiring  whether  he  was  a 
friend  of  the  Government  and  desired  its  authority  re-estabhshed,  or  a  friend 
of  the  rebellion  and  desired  its  success,  was  read  and  discussed. 

//  was  then  7inanimously  resolved.  That  the  answer  was  not  satisfactory, 
for  the  reason  that  it  entirely  omitted  to  inform  us  whether  Mr.  McPheeters 
was  a  friend  or  an  enemy  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States. 

It  was  further  resolved.  That  inasmuch  as  the  communication  of  June 
1 8th,  1862,  was  addressed  to  our  pastor  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the 
truth  or  falsity  of  reports,  very  current  in  St.  Louis  and  elsewhere,  that  he 
sympathized  with  the  rebeUion  and  desired  the  success  of  the  Southern 
States  in  their  attempt  to  dismember  the  Union  and  establish  a  Southern 
Confederacy,  and  also  to  reheve  our  Church  of  the  odium  of  being  a  seces- 
sion Church,  which  was  fast  settling  upon  it,  owing  to  the  silence  of  our 
pastor  and  the  active  disloyalty  of  many  of  its  members,  and  inasmuch  as 
the  omission  of  any  reply  to  the  inquiries  made  of  our  pastor  has  left  us 
^vithout  the  means  of  contradicting  the  reports  and  correcting  the  very  gen- 
eral opinion  of  his  disloyalty  at  heart,  and  inasmuch  as  he  requests  that  his 

9 


130  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

answer  shall  not  be  published,  and  as  its  publication  would  only  confirm  the 
opinion  of  his  disloyalty,  that,  therefore,  his  answer  be  returned  to  him  as 
wholly  unsatisfactory. 

//  was  ficrther  7'esolved,  That  at  a  time  when  the  existence  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, under  which  we  have  enjoyed  unequaled  civil  and  religious  privi- 
leges, is  seriously  threatened  by  a  rebellion  of  unparalleled  atrocity  and 
wickedness,  we  deem  it  the  duty  of  every  man  to  encourage  and  sustain 
our  rulers  in  their  efforts  to  overthrow  the  power  of  the  rebels  and  re-establish 
the  Union.  And  we  are  unwilling  to  countenance  by  our  attendance  a  Church 
whose  moral  influence  encourages  the  rebellion  and  where  treason  is  unre- 
buked ;  and  unless  our  pastor  can  find  it  consistent  with  his  feehngs  and  con- 
victions of  duty  to  make  himself  known  as  a  friend  of  the  Government  under 
which  he  lives,  and,  in  leading  the  public  devotions  of  his  people,  can  pray 
for  the  success  of  that  Government  in  putting  down  armed  resistance  to  its 
authority,  we  shall  feel  constrained  to  abandon  a  Church  to  which  we  are 
devotedly  attached  until  a  cordial  obedience  to  the  lawfully  constituted 
authorities  of  the  State  and  opposition  to  treason  are  taught  from  the  pulpit 
and  by  the  private  influence  and  example  of  the  pastor. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  return  to  Rev.  Mr. 
McPheeters  the  answer  above  referred  to,  and  also  to  furnish  him  with  a 
copy  of  these  resolutions,  signed  by  the  Secretary  and  Chairman  of  this 
meeting. 

Messrs.  Thompson,  Morrison  and  Strong  were  appointed  on  that  com- 
mittee. 

On  November  3d  Dr.  McPheeters  replied: 

Gentlemen  :  The  series  of  resolutions  purporting  to  have  been  adopted 
"at  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  Pine  Street  Presbyterian  Church  who 
are  in  favor  of  sustaining  the  Government  of  the  United  States  in  its  efforts 
to  put  down  the  rebelhon  raised  against  it,"  which  you  were  appointed  to 
hand  me,  I  have  received,  and  ha\ang  considered  them,  I  request  you  to 
submit  to  the  organization  which  you  represent  the  following  as  my  reply : 

Before  I  begin,  however,  let  me  call  your  attention  to  what,  if  not  a 
clerical  error,  must  not  be  permitted  to  pass  without  notice.  You  say,  "at 
a  meeting  of  the  members  of  Pine  Street  Church,  in  favor  of  sustaining  the 
Government,"  &c.  Perhaps  you  intended  to  say,  "at  a  meeting"  of  some 
or  a  few  "  of  the  members,"  &c.,  for  you  will  hardly  claim  that  the  eighteen 
or  twenty  who  composed  your  meeting  are  all  of  the  members  of  Pine  Street 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  I3I 

Church  who  are  in  favor  of  sustaining  the  Government?  If  you  think  so, 
it  may  be  as  well  to  tell  you  that  there  are  many  others  quite  as  earnest  as 
yourselves  "in  sustaining  the  Government"  who  were  not  with  you  in 
your  meeting,  and  who  are  not  likely  to  be  with  you  in  your  present  move- 
ment. For,  let  me  further  tell  you,  that  the  real  questions  in  controversy 
between  us  are  not,  as  I  will  presently  show,  questions  as  to  the  duty  of 
citizens  to  sustain  their  Government,  nor  questions  as  to  the  right  or  wrong 
of  the  efforts  made  to  dismember  the  Union,  nor  questions  of  loyalty  or 
disloyalty,  but  questions  of  a  very  different  kind,  viz. :  What  is  the  relation 
of  a  pastor  to  his  people  ? — what  rights  does  it  involve  ?  Is  it  purely  eccle- 
siastical and  spiritual,  or  is  it  ecclesiastical  and  political  ?  And  your  pre- 
amble would  have  been  far  more  accurate  if  it  had  been  couched  in  some 
such  language  as  this:  "At  a  meeting  of  some  of  the  members  of  Pine 
Street  Presbyterian  Church,  who  claim  that  a  pastor  is  bound  to  give  a 
formal  answer  to  such  civil  and  political  questions  as  his  people  may  see 
good  to  ask  him,  it  was  resolved,"  &c.  For  the  main  point  in  your  resolu- 
tions is  just  this,  that  I  omitted  to  answer  the  questions  you  propounded  to 
me  in  your  paper  of  June  last. 

A  word  now  as  to  that  paper.  It  was  gotten  up,  you  remember,  during 
my  temporary  absence  on  a  trip  to  St.  Paul,  and  was  handed  to  me  on  my 
return.  I  read  it  not  only  with  astonishment,  but  sorrow.  The  claim, 
which  it  quietly  assumed,  that  the  members  of  my  church  had  a  right  to 
demand  of  me,  as  their  pastor,  a  written  answer  to  such  questions  as  were 
there  asked,  struck  me  as  so  unheard  of  and  absurd ;  the  yielding  to  such  a 
claim  seemed  to  me  so  evil  and  dangerous  a  precedent ;  some  of  the  lan- 
guage used  I  thought,  upon  a  fair  construction,  to  be  personally  so  offen- 
sive, and  the  whole  proceeding  I  regarded  as  so  irregular  and  unpresbyte- 
rian  that  my  first  impulse  was  to  return  it  without  a  word.  But  upon  learn- 
ing something  of  the  history  of  the  paper,  that  in  the  getting  up  it  was  the 
work  of  one  or  tvro  individuals  who  wrote  and  handed  it  around  for  signa- 
tures, and  knowing  how  easily,  by  plausible  representations,  signatures 
might  be  obtained,  and  being  morally  certain  that  many  who  signed  it  had 
no  purpose  whatever  of  disturbing  the  peace  oi  the  Church,  and  charitably 
thinking  that  the  language  to  which  I  made  exception  might  be  explained 
by  the  author  of  the  paper  (which,  in  private,  he  has  subsequently  done), 
and  hoping  that  a  reply  might  be  made  which,  w  hile  it  yielded  nothing  as 
to  the  right  of  asking  such  questions  of  me  as  a  pastor,  might  at  once  tend 
to  the  harmony  of  the  Church  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  those  who  wished 


132  MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

to  be  satisfied,  I  determined  to  return  a  reply,  and  to  answer  such  parts 
of  the  paper  as  I  "  deemed  it  important  or  proper  for  me  to  notice."  Upon 
all  the  matters  relating  to  my  pastoral  and  ministerial  duties  I  aimed  to  be 
full  and  explicit.  Upon  my  duties  and  opinions  as  a  citizen,  while  I  en- 
tered a  formal  protest  against  the  right  of  Church  members  to  question  me 
about  my  opinions  on  such  matters,  I,  nevertheless,  so  far  waived  the 
matter  as  to  tell  you  explicitly  that  as  far  as  I  knew  I  discharged  to  the  best 
of  my  ability  all  the  duties  of  a  citizen  enjoined  upon  me  by  the  Word  of 
God  or  the  laws  of  the  land.  But  I  did  purposely  and  of  deliberate  design 
omit  a  formal  answer  to  the  questions  which  you  asked  me,  because,  while 
I  was  wilhng  to  do  almost  anything  not  in  itself  wrong  to  prevent  discord, 
I  felt  that  it  would  be  wrong  to  yield  to  so  pernicious  a  claim  as  I  then  sus- 
pected and  am  now  convinced  was  there  set  up. 

Before  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  I  solemnly  and 
formally  denied  the  right  of  any  ecclesiastical  body,  from  the  highest  to  the 
lowest,  to  question  a  minister  upon  his  political  opinions,  and  as  you  saw 
good  to  deny  that  position,  it  was  hardly  to  be  expected  that  I  would  yield 
it  when  claimed  by  a  few  members  of  my  Church  who  had  no  right  to 
question  me  judicially  upon  my  theological,  much  less  my  political,  opinions. 

When  my  reply  was  prepared,  I  publicly  requested  the  signers  of  the 
paper  to  meet  me  at  a  time  and  place  designated.  At  that  meeting,  a  ma- 
jority of  the  signers  of  the  first  paper  being  present,  I  read  my  answer  and 
we  had  a  free  conversation  on  the  whole  subject.  The  interview  was  pleasant 
and,  as  I  supposed,  satisfactory.  Several  who  were  present  expressed  them- 
selves (if  language  can  convey  thoughts)  as  entirely  satisfied;  others  thought 
the  whole  thing  would  do  good  and  tend  to  the  harmony  of  the  Church. 
And  the  impression  made  upon  my  mind,  and  I  think  would  have  been 
made  upon  the  mind  of  any  person  present,  was,  that  the  whole  had  come 
to  a  happy  and  satisfactory  conclusion,  and  when  the  meeting  adjourned  it 
was  with  mutual  congratulations.  I  ought  in  justice  to  say  that  neither  of 
the  two  gentlemen  who  drew  up  the  paper  were  present  at  this  meeting, 
both  of  them  being  at  the  time  out  of  the  city  temporarily,  and  that  upon 
their  return  and  reading  my  answer  they  told  me  frankly  that  it  was  not 
what  they  hoped  and  desu-ed  it  should  be. 

Some  of  the  signers  of  the  first  paper  who  were  present  at  the  meeting 
just  mentioned  have  shown  that  they  were  and  are  satisfied,  by  refusing  to 
have  anything  further  to  do  with  the  matter.  Others  who  were  there,  and 
who  were  among  the  first  to  express,  in  most  distinct  and  devout  language. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  133 

their  joy  at  the  "happy  result  of  the  whole  matter,"  I  find  now  among  the 
*'  unanimous  "  in  declaring  their  dissatisfaction,  nay,  in  returning  my  paper 
as  "wholly  unsatisfactory."  Of  this  I  do  not  complain.  I  freely  grant 
that  men  have  a  right  to  change  their  opinions,  and  to  learn  what  should 
satisfy  them ;  and  three  months  and  a  half  is  a  long  period  in  times  like 
these.  But  let  this  go.  I  return  to  the  true  and  only  point  at  issue  between 
us,  which  is  this  :  You  claim  the  right,  in  virtue  of  the  relation  which  exists 
between  us  as  pastor  and  people,  to  ask  and  receive  my  written  opinion 
and  personal  position  upon  civil  and  political  questions  no  way  connected 
with  my  office  and  duty  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  That  this  claim  was 
set  up  by  the  movers  in  this  matter  I  suspected,  as  I  have  intimated,  when 
I  read  your  paper  of  June  last.  That  it  is  now  distinctly  announced  seems 
to  be  plain  beyond  dispute,  since  you  have  organized  yourselves,  with  chair- 
man and  secretary,  and  send  your  committee  to  deliver  the  resolves  which 
you  have  taken,  in  case  I  fail  to  yield  the  claim  by  practical  obedience. 

Now,  gentlemen,  before  I  can  yield  what  you  demand  you  must  show 
me  what  foundation  your  claim  has  in  reason,  Scripture,  or  the  standards  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  until  you  do  this  I  must  tell  you  plainly  that 
this  claim  I  utterly  deny  and  feel  compelled  to  resist.  And  I  do  now  resist 
it  by  refusing  to  be  catechised  by  you ;  by  again  declining  any  answers  to 
questions  of  the  kind  which  you  propound ;  by  making  no  promise  of  obe- 
dience to  your  demands,  and  by  refusing  to  plead  at  your  bar.  And  this 
position  I  take,  not  from  any  disposition  to  stand  out  captiously  upon  an 
abstract  question  of  right,  nor  from  any  disposition  improperly  to  conceal 
my  views  on  political  questions,  but  from  a  conscientious  conviction  that  I 
can  not  yield  the  thing  you  claim  without,  to  the  full  extent  of  my  example, 
compromising  the  rights  of  every  minister  and  endangering  the  peace  of 
all  our  churches.  The  claim  of  right  to  ask  and  receive  an  answer  from 
your  pastor  to  such  questions  clearly  rests  on  an  unscriptural  and  dangerous 
error  as  to  the  pastoral  relation  itself.  It  is  in  no  sense  and  to  no  degree 
a  civil  and  political  relation.  It  has  no  concernment  with  men,  viewed  in 
any  other  hght  than  as  citizens  of  "a  kingdom  not  of  this  world."  All  of 
the  duties  and  rights  which  belong  to  the  relation  of  pastor  and  people  grow 
out  of  relations  which  they  bear  to  Christ  and  his  Church,  and  the  moment 
we  cut  loose  from  this  we  are  at  sea  without  chart  or  compass.  If  a  pastor 
begins  to  answer  such  questions  as  you  ask,  where  can  he  consistently  stop  ? 
Let  him  once  yield  the  right  to  some,  and  he  can  not  consistently  deny  it  to 
any.     Let  him  once  begin  to  give  his  written  opinion  and  personal  position 


134  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

as  pastor  upon  any  of  these  questions,  no  77iaiter  hcno  importattt  in  them- 
selves, and  how  long  will  it  be  before  he  will  be  called  upon  as  a  pastor  to  take 
his  official  position  upon  the  various  questions  of  State  policy  which  arise; 
to  express  and  defend,  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  his  views  upon  the  pro- 
clamations and  orders  at  any  time  issued  by  the  government?  The  magni- 
tude and  profoundly  interesting  character  of  the  questions  about  which  you 
asked  my  views  do  not  in  any  degree  alter  my  position ;  nay,  it  is  to  me 
a  matter  of  gratitude  that,  since  the  question  has  come  up,  it  has  risen, 
not  upon  any  subordinate  question  of  party  politics,  but  upon  questions 
which,  in  their  civil  aspect,  are  nationally  important  and  \atal.  Because,  by 
resisting  the  whole  claim  here,  I  resist  it  everywhere.  By  testifying  against 
it  under  these  circumstances,  and  at  what  personal  perils  and  penalties  I 
know  not,  I  am  enabled  to  bear  testimony  against  the  whole  system  of 
church  secularization,  which  I  solemnly  believe  is  a  sign  of  the  times,  and 
which,  if  carried  out,  will  end  in  degrading  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  into 
poHticians,  and  the  Church  itself  into  a  thing  of  State. 

You  may  think  that  I  am  alarmed  at  a  chimera,  that  the  danger  I  seek  to 
avoid  is  only  in  my  imagination.  I  might  be  persuaded  to  believe  this  if  I 
had  not  learned  what  has  taken  place  in  many  parts  of  the  Church  and  seen 
what  has  fallen  under  my  own  observation.  Nay,  gentlemen,  if  you  will  but 
look  at  your  own  course  you  will  see  that  my  fears  are  not  imaginary. 
While  I  was  in  New  Mexico,  when  I  was  entirely  ignorant  of  the  views  of 
any  of  you,  I  prepared  a  pastoral  letter,  declaring  my  purpose,  as  your  pas- 
tor, to  avoid  intermeddling  with  these  exciting  pohtical  questions,  and  urging 
the  members  of  the  Church  not  to  permit  them  to  come  into  the  house  of 
God.  And  when  I  returned  I  told  you  distinctly  that  it  was  my  purpose 
not  only  not  to  introduce  them  into  my  pulpit,  but  as  far  as  possible  to  stand 
aloof  from  them  as  an  individual. 

Without  exception  yoii  approved  of  my  course.  It  was,  you  all  told  me, 
what  you  desired.  I  remember  the  individuals  among  you  who  said,  **  we 
have  the  war  all  the  -week,  and  want  the  gospel  on  Sunday."  "I  hear  you 
with  respect  when  you  expound  the  Scriptures,  but  I  believe  I  understand 
political  matters  as  well  or  better  than  you  do  ;"  and  well  do  I  remember  the 
mortification  and  indignation  which  one  of  your  number  expressed  when  a 
military  officer  of  high  rank  made  a  patriotic  instead  of  a  religious  address 
in  the  Sunday  School  with  which  he  is  connected.  Thus  things  stood  for 
months.  The  first  intimation  I  had  of  any  change  in  your  views  Avas  in  the 
paper  of  June  last.     I  then  learned  that  some  of  you  were  changing  your 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D  135 

ground.  Still,  even  in  that  paper,  you  say,  "  we  do  not  desire  from  you,  as 
we  have  before  stated,  any  ostentatious  or  pulpit  manifestations  of  attachment 
to  the  government,  unless  it  should  be  considered  such  to  pray  in  public  for 
the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  those  who  are  in  authority  under 
him,"  &c.  In  my  reply  I  distinctly  told  you  that  I  considered  it  as  clearly  a 
duty  enjoined  in  the  Scriptures  to  pray  for  those  in  authority,  and  as  the 
President  of  the  United  States  undoubtedly  had  authority  over  us,  that  I  did 
and  would  continue  to  pray  for  him.  Again  the  majority  seemed  satisfied. 
And  now,  after  three  months  and  a  half,  you  come  and  tell  me,  "unani- 
mously," that  you  are  not  satisfied,  and  will  not  be  satisfied  until  the  whole 
subject  is  prayed  over  and  discussed  from  the  pulpit !  And  what  you  will 
desire  and  demand  three  months  and  a  half  hence,  who  can  tell  ?  I,  there- 
fore, call  attention  to  your  own  course  as  a  thorough  vindication  of  the  wisdom 
and  necessity  of  mine,  that  I  did  not  resist  unreasonable  demands  too  soon, 
if  I  intended  to  resist  at  all. 

In  your  former  paper,  and  in  the  one  now  before  me,  you  refer  to  '*  i-eports 
here  and  elsewhere  affecting  my  loyalty,"  and  you  tell  me  that  the  sole 
object  of  the  paper  of  June  last,  with  reference  to  me,  was  to  ascertain  the 
truth  or  falsity  of  these  rumors.  All  that  I  can  say  is,  that  it  that  was  the 
"sole  object,''''  you  adopted  a  very  unfortunate  way  of  accomplishing  it  when 
you  place  before  me  the  alternative  of  yielding  to  a  most  dangerous  and 
unreasonable  claim,  or  remaining  silent.  With  my  views  of  right  and  duty 
I  could  not  hesitate  which  alternative  to  choose.  I  had  rather  endure  false 
assumptions  of  rights.     Rumors  are  things  of  a  day — rights  are  perpetual. 

I  am  not  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  rumors  have  been  circulated,  and 
printed,  too,  charging  me,  directly  or  indirectly,  with  disloyalty.  I  know, 
also,  that  it  is  a  day  of  rumors  and  falsehood  and  detraction.  And  the 
only  notice  I  have  felt  called  upon  to  take  of  these  things  has  been  to  con- 
tradict them  by  the  quiet  tenor  of  my  hfe.  I  have  thought,  yea,  and  I  still 
think,  that  the  "rumors  of  disloyalty"  need  not  alarm  one  who,  recog- 
nizing civil  government  as  "ordained  of  God,"  has  been  "subject"  unto 
it,  "not  only  for  wrath,  but  for  conscience  sake;  "  who,  in  obedience  to  the 
divine  command,  has  "submitted  himself  to  every  ordinance  of  man  for  the 
Lord's  sake;  "  who  has  "  rendered  to  all  their  dues — tribute  to  whom  trib- 
ute is  due,  custom  to  whom  custom,  fear  to  whom  fear,  and  honor  to  whom 
honor,"  and  who,  in  public  and  private,  has  prayed  for  those  who  are  in 
authority. 

All  this  I  claim  to  have  done  habitually  and  as  a  part  of  my  duty  to  God. 


136  MEMOIR    OF-  S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

And  to  bring  this  matter  to  an  issue,  let  me  say,  there  are  civil,  military 
and  ecclesiastical  courts,  and  that  I  do  now  challenge  any  and  all  men — all 
makers  and  spreaders  and  endorsers  of  these  rumors — to  prove  before  any 
one  of  these  tribunals  an  act  that  I  have  done  or  a  word  that  I  have  said 
that  a  good  citizen  has  not  a  perfect  right  to  do  or  say.  I  can  not,  however, 
dismiss  "these  rumors  of  disloyalty"  without  calling  your  attention  to  the 
fact  that  one  of  your  resolutions  may,  and  in  all  probability  will,  be  taken 
as  giving  them  a  quasi  endorsement.  Now  if,  with  the  knowledge  some  of 
you  have,  your  conscience  and  self-respect  will  allow  you  to  do  this,  I  have 
nothing  to  say  but  what  my  own  self-respect  forbids  my  saying.  Of  one 
thing  I  am  certain,  that  I  can  far  better  afford  to  have  such  charges  made 
than  any  good  man  can  afford  to  make  them.  So  much  for  the  rumors 
which  have  me  for  their  object. 

A  word  now  as  to  those  who  charge  Pine  Street  Church  as  being  a 
"secession  church."  If  by  a  "secession  church"  is  meant  that  there  are 
a  number  of  its  members  or  attendants  who  hold  the  political  dogma  that  a 
State  has  a  right  to  secede  from  the  Federal  Union,  I  have  to  confess  that  I 
do  not  know  whether  the  charge  is  true  or  false,  for  I  do  not  know  the 
views  of  one  in  ten  on  these  subjects.  And  if  any  one  should  say  that  our 
church  is  a  Democratic  church,  or  a  Republican  church,  or  an  Uncondi- 
tional Union  Emancipation  church,  or  a  President's  Proclamation  church, 
using  all  of  these  appellatives  in  the  same  sense,  I  would  be  equally  at  a  loss 
to  affirm  or  deny.  I  know  but  little  of  the  political  opinions  of  the  members 
of  my  church,  never  having  assumed  the  right  of  catechising  them.  But  that 
Pine  Street  Church  is  a  "secession  church"  in  the  sense  that  such  doctrines 
are  taught  from  its  pulpit,  or  inculcated  by  its  pastor,  or  in  any  manner  or 
to  any  degree  characterize  its  worship,  government  or  disciphne,  is  what 
no  man  will  dare  to  say  who  has  one  principle  of  truth,  honor  or  honesty. 
When  Pine  Street  Church  becomes  a  secession  church,  or  any  other  kind  of 
church  but  a  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  for  one  I  will  turn  from  it  with  the 
loathing  that  I  would  feel  for  a  bride  who  has  deserted  her  husband  to 
follow  another.  But  while  it  remains  true  to  Christ,  the  attempt,  either 
directly  or  indirectly,  to  darken  its  name  with  so  odious  a  slander  is  a  fearful 
sin,  and  God  will  not  hold  men  guiltless  who  commit  it. 

I  will  not  close  this  communication  without  telling  you  that  I  greatly 
regret  the  course  which  you  have  been  led  to  adopt  in  this  whole  matter. 
It  must  strike  every  Presbyterian  as,  to  say  the  least,  unusual.  The  first 
intimation  I  had  of  any  dissatisfaction  in  the  Church  was  the  formal  paper 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  137 

of  June  last.  Not  a  word  had  been  said  to  me  in  private  on  the  subject, 
and  yet,  from  the  intimacy  that  existed  between  myself  and  not  a  few  of  your 
number,  this  was  what  I  felt  that  I  had  a  right  to  expect ;  but,  not  to  insist 
upon  this,  which  is  only  a  question  of  propriety,  I  must  insist  that,  if  action 
was  to  be  taken  concerning  things  affecting  the  interest  of  the  Church,  the 
Church  Session  was  the  only  proper  body  to  move  in  the  matter.  Accord- 
ing to  the  Presbyterian  form  of  government,  ' '  the  Church  Session  is  charged 
with  maintaimng  the  spiritual  government  of  the  congregation."  It  is  "to 
concert  the  best  means  for  promoting  its  spiritual  interests."  Surely  the 
matters  which  you  thought  so  gravely  affecting  the  spiritual  interests  of  the 
Church  should  have  been  at  least  brought  before  this  body,  which,  accord- 
ing to  our  standards,  has  that  matter  in  charge.  There  was  no  difficulty  in 
getting  either  a  formal  or  informal  hearing  in  that  court,  as  the  two  origin- 
ators of  this  movement  were  both  of  them  members  of  the  Session ;  yet 
not  a  word  was  said  in  the  Session — they  were  not  consulted,  nor  even 
informed  as  to  what  was  going  on ;  and  now  you  have  formed  an  organiza- 
tion in  the  Church  itself,  which,  according  to  your  own  preamble,  seems  to 
me  to  be  distinctly  and  professedly  pohtical,  and  by  formal  resolutions  tell 
me  what  I  must  preach  and  what  I  must  pray,  declaring,  if  I  understand 
the  language,  that  if  I  do  not  thus  preach  and  pray  you  are  determined, 
in  violation  of  your  vows  and  duty,  to  abstain  from  the  ordinances  of  God's 
house  as  administered  in  the  Church  to  which  you  belong  and  of  which 
some  of  you  are  office-bearers.  Now,  I  appeal  to  your  better  judgment  if 
this  can  be  justified?  Is  it  not  manifestly  schismatical ?  It  seems  to  me 
that  you  are  doing  in  the  Church  of  God  what  you  so  thoroughly  condemn 
when  done  in  the  State. 

Is  schism  less  a  sin  than  secession  ?  And  what  if,  in  imitation  of  your 
example,  I  should  get  a  paper  telling  me  that  "at  a  meeting  of  the  members 
of  Pine  Street  Church  who  are  in  favor  of  sustaining  the  government  of 
the"  (Presbyterian  Church)  "  in  its  efforts  to  put  down"  (the  schism)  "raised 
against  it,"  (resolutions  were  passed  demanding  that)  "a  cordial  obedience 
to  the  lawfully  constituted  authority  of  the"  (Church)  "and  opposition  to 
schism  should  be  taught  from  its  pulpit  and  by  the  private  influence  and 
example  of  its  pastor."  I  call  your  attention  to  this  not  because  it  is  likely 
to  occur,  nor  because  if  it  did  occur  that  I  would  be  likely  to  give  any  other 
attention  to  the  demand  than  I  expect  to  give  yours,  but  I  ask  you  to  look  at 
it  to  see  where  the  principle  you  adopt  and  the  course  you  have  pursued 
logically  lead.     I  do  sincerely  hope  that  you  will   reconsider  this  whole 


138  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

matter  and  take  a  different  view  of  your  duty.  But  upon  whatever  course 
you  may  determine,  and  whatever  results  may  follow  it,  I  feel  conscious 
that,  in  these  times  of  violence  and  faction,  I  have  aimed  to  conduct  myself 
circumspectly  as  a  minister  of  Christ — that  I  have  studied  and  sought  after 
the  things  that  make  for  peace — that  I  have  tried  to  avoid  all  occasion  of 
irritation  ;  and  so  true  is  this  that  those  who  complain  of  my  course  complain 
not  of  what  I  have  done,  but  of  what  I  have  not  done.  I  know  there  are 
sins  of  omission  as  well  as  of  commission,  and  if  I  am  guilty  of  the  former  I 
am  truly  sorry;  but  this  I  can  say,  I  followed  my  best  judgment  in  view  of 
my  responsibility  to  God.  This  I  say  with  regard  to  those  subjects  more 
or  less  connected  with  the  troubles  of  the  State,  which  might  be  legitimately 
presented  from  the  pulpit.  As  to  my  launching  out  in  the  pulpit  upon 
politics.  State  or  national,  expounding  or  defending  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  advocating  or  opposing  the  measures  of  the  administration, 
I  have  no  more  idea  of  doing  so  than  I  have  of  doing  an}'tliing  that  would 
bring  conscious  self-degradation. 

I  regard  the  whole  generation  of  ministers  who  do  these  things  in  the 
pulpit  as  a  disgrace  to  the  Church  and  an  intolerable  nuisance  to  the  State, 
and  that  they  are  anywhere  tolerated  is  to  my  mind  evidence  of  such  a  state 
of  corruption  as  goes  far  to  explain  the  fearful  judgments  that  God  has  sent 
upon  the  land.  I  expect,  therefore,  in  time  to  come  as  in  time  past,  to 
preach  the  great  distinctive  doctrines  of  the  Gospel ;  nor  do  I  see  any  good 
reasons  why  I  should  change  the  petitions  which  I  am  in  the  habit  of  offer- 
ing in  the  sanctuary.  I  belive  them  to  be  scriptural,  and  such  as  all  good 
men  should  be  able  heartily  to  unite  in  offering  to  God.  I  pray  for  all 
our  civil  rulers.  This  Paul  enjoins.  I  ask  God  to  give  them  the  wisdom 
their  station  demands;  to  let  His  blessing  rest  upon  them;  to  incline  them 
to  do  that  which  is  right,  and  to  restrain  them  from  doing  anything  that 
would  be  hurtful  or  wrong.  In  reference  to  our  national  troubles,  I  confess 
our  national  and  individual  sins  as  the  cause;  acknowledge  the  justice  of 
God  in  afflicting  us ;  implore  His  pardon  for  the  past  and  His  mercy  for  the 
future;  and  without  prescribing  to  Him  the  method  or  the  means,  I  beseech 
Him,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  so  to  order  and  control  all  these  events  that  they 
shall  result  in  His  glory,  the  advancement  of  His  kingdom  and  the  good  of 
the  whole  country. 

And  I  have  selected  petitions  like  these,  not  as  adapted  to  this  or  that 
locality,  but  Avhat,  as  in  my  conscience  before  God,  I  beheve  to  be  becoming 
and  proper  in  the  Church  of  God,  which,  in  my  conception  of  it,  is  in  its 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  139 

very  nature  spiritual,  beneficent  and  catholic ;  belonging  to  no  party,  section 
or  nation ;  having  no  head  or  law-giver  but  Christ,  and  having  no  work  to 
do  and  no  kingdom  to  uphold  but  His.  I  know  that  there  are  ministers 
who  go  much  further  in  all  these  things  than  I  do,  and  I  know  that  among 
them  are  many  eminent  for  wisdom  and  piety.  I  do  not  judge  such.  I 
honor  and  love  them.  Still,  as  every  man  is  to  give  an  account  of  himself 
to  Christ,  I  must  do  what,  after  earnest  and  prayerful  meditation,  I  believe 
Christ  will  approve.  If  I  have  adopted  this  course  for  fear  of  man,  or  to 
please  men,  or  from  any  unworthy  or  sinful  motive,  I  have  reason  to  fear 
his  displeasure;  but  if  I  have  adopted  it  from  a  conscientious  conviction 
that  it  is  right — from  a  desire  to  please  him,  even  if  I  am  mistaken,  I  shall 
still  humbly  hope  in  his  pardon. 

But  I  close  this  communication,  already  too  long.  In  my  former  reply  I 
told  you  that  without  my  consent  I  did  not  wish  it  to  be  published.  My 
reasons  for  this  were,  first,  I  hoped  the  whole  thing  would  be  settled  among 
ourselves  without  going  to  the  public.  Second,  I  feared  that  its  publication 
in  the  present  excited  state  of  the  public  mind  might  be  seized  upon 
by  anonymous  writers,  who,  under  cover  of  patriotism  and  loyalty,  might 
seek  to  vent  their  personal  or  sectarian  spleen  against  the  church;  and,  third, 
out  of  regard  for  yourselves,  for  I  considered  your  communication,  in  its 
whole  tenor  and  spirit,  as  so  foreign  from  what  is  customary  between  a 
pastor  and  his  people,  and  so  evidently  tinged  by  the  violent  and  denuncia- 
tory character  of  these  unhappy  times,  that  I  believed  that  you  yourselves 
would,  in  time  to  come,  regret  its  publication.  But  since  you  have  seen 
proper  to  say,  in  one  of  your  resolutions,  that  the  publication  of  my  paper 
would  only  confirm  the  opinion  of  my  disloyalty,  I  now  give  my  full  consent 
to  its  publication,  on  the  conditions,  first,  that  the  whole  communications 
that  have  passed  between  us  be  published;  second,  that  those  who  signed 
the  paper  of  June  last,  and  do  not  wish  to  have  their  names  connected  with 
it,  be  allowed  to  withdraw  them  without  remark ;  third,  that  I  am  to  see 
and  have  an  opportunity  of  replying  to  anything  you  may  choose  to  say  on 
this  paper ;  that  I  shall  be  consulted  as  to  the  place  and  manner  of  publica- 
tion ;  and  I  ask  you  to  appoint  a  committee  to  confer  with  me  as  to  the  time 
and  manner  of  its  publication. 

The  note  that  follows  explains  itself: 

Dear  Pastor  :  We,  the  undersigned,  desire  to  express  to  you  that 
having  signed  the  communication  addressed  to  you,  subscribed  by  a  portion 


I40  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

of  the  members  of  your  church  and  congregation,  dated  the  1 8th  of  June 
last,  and  having  heard  your  response,  written  and  read  by  you,  at  a  meeting 
held  subsequently,  at  your  request,  in  the  lecture  room  of  the  church,  at 
which  nearly  all  of  said  subscribers  were  present,  and  at  the  close  of  which 
meeting  we  understood  your  response  to  be  quite  satisfactory.  We  have 
since  then  learned,  with  much  regret,  that  some  of  those  subscribers  are 
yet  discontented.  We  desire  to  state  that  we  do  not  wish  to  be  considered 
as  having  any  connection  with  the  movement  now  understood  to  be  made  in 
the  church  looking  to  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation. 

M.  SIMPSON, 
W.  W.  GREENE, 
LESLEY  GARNETT, 
ROBERT  DOUGHERTY, 
JAMES  DOUGHERTY, 
JAMES  LOVE. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'pHEETERS,    D.   D,  141 


CHAPTER    yill. 

REPLY  TO  AN  ATTACK   IN  THE  MISSOURI  DEMOCRAT — ORDER  OF 
BANISHMENT ACTION  OF  PINE    STREET  SESSION. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  "a  letter  appeared  in  the  Mis- 
souri Democrat,  of  December  13,  1862,  written  by  George  P. 
Strong,  and  signed  by  himself,  J.  M.  Corbett  and  John  M. 
Ferguson,  as  a  committee."  Dr.  McPheeters  regarded  this 
letter  "  as  a  most  shameless  and  false  assault  upon  his  charac- 
ter," and  he,  therefore,  proceeds  to  vindicate  his  good  name  in 
the  statement  that  follows,  dated  December  22,  1862  : 

I  feel  that  it  is  due  to  myself  and  the  Church  of  which  I  am  the  pastor 
that  I  should  briefly  notice  a  letter  which  appeared  in  the  Democrat,  Decem- 
ber 13,  written  by  George  P.  Strong,  and  signed  by  himself,  J.  M.  Corbett 
and  John  M.  Ferguson,  as  a  committee. 

This  letter  is  the  continuation  of  a  correspondence,  a  part  of  which  I  had 
already,  in  pamphlet  form,  "printed  for  the  information  of  the  members 
of  Pine  Street  Church."  I  wish  now  to  say  that  I  can  not  consent  to  have 
any  further  correspondence  with  this  committee,  and  especially  with  its 
organ,  the  chairman ;  nor  can  I  enter  into  the  kind  of  newspaper  contest 
which  this  letter  courts.  It  is  as  foreign  from  my  taste  as  it  would  be  un- 
becoming my  calUng  to  "  render  railing  for  railing." 

There  is  a  self-respect  which  no  one  is  at  liberty  to  disregard.  And  when 
any  one  allows  himself,  as  the  author  of  this  letter  has,  distinctly  to  make 
or  plainly  to  insinuate  such  charges  as  I  here  find — charges  the  scope  and 
plain  meaning  of  which  are  that,  in  the  general,  I  use  my  office  as  a  minis- 
ter of  the  Gospel  to  accomplish  wicked  and  seditious  purposes,  and  in  the 
particular,  that  I  am  an  encourager  of  treason ;  that,  as  a  pastor,  I  am 
using  my  influence  to  pervert  the  young  of  my  charge,  and  to  encourage  all 
under  my  influence  in  a  wicked  opposition  to  the  Government  under  which 
I  live ;  that  I  withhold,  and  that  from  unworthy  motives,  the  truths  of  God's 
Word  from  those  to  whom  I  minister;  that  having  taken  "an  oath  of  alle- 


142  MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

giance  under  a  sort  of  compulsion,"  that  I  have  not  kept  it  in  its  "  broad  and 
comprehensive  sense,"  but  only  so  far  as  to  enable  me  to  escape  the  civil 
or  miUtary  penalty  of  its  violation;  and  that,  inventing  or  adopting  "an  ab- 
surd and  ridiculous  distinctiou,"  I  justify  myself  in  taking  an  oath  as  a  man 
and  violating  it  as  a  minister.  Now  I  say,  when  any  one  makes  or  insinu- 
ates such  charges,  and  at  the  same  time  shows  that  no  age  however  imma- 
ture, no  sex  however  feeble,  no  relation  however  near,  no  tie  however 
sacred,  is  to  be  exempt  from  wanton  and  unmanly  assault,  self-respect 
requires  me  to  close  a  correspondence  so  conducted ;  and  not  only  self- 
respect,  but  Christian  duty,  for  it  is  perfectly  manifest  that  a  correspondence 
between  a  pastor  and  an  elder  in  his  Church,  conducted  in  the  spirit  of  this 
letter,  can  only  end  in  bringing  scandal  upon  religion  and  reproach  upon 
the  Church  of  Christ. 

If  I  have  done  or  am  doing  what  in  this  letter  is  alleged  or  insinuated;  if 
the  charges  made  are  true — if  they  are  believed  to  be  true  by  those  who 
made  them — they  are  bound  in  duty  and  conscience  to  make  and  establish 
them  before  the  ecclesiastical  court  to  which  I  am  amenable,  that  the  honor 
of  religion  may  be  vindicated.  This  I  call  upon  them  to  do.  and  if  it  is  not 
done,  if  it  is  not  attempted,  then  let  fair  minded  men  judge  between  me  and 
my  assailants  ;  and  I  have  lived  to  Httle  purpose  if,  after  a  ministry  of  more 
than  half  a  score  of  years  in  this  city,  good  and  honorable  men  believe  of 
me  what  this  letter  charges  and  upon  such  evidence  as  it  adduces. 

I  have  neither  the  disposition  nor  the  intention  to  go  through  the  four 
columns  of  this  communication  and  correct  the  misstatements  and  misrep- 
resentations which  every  where  abound.  This  would  take  far  more  time 
and  space  than  I  propose  to  occupy;  an  insinuation  or  a  false  representation 
may  be  made  in  a  line  which  it  will  take  a  page  to  correct.  I  shall  give  but 
one  example  by  way  of  illustrating  the  kind  of  dealing  in  which  this  letter 
abounds,  and  I  select  the  one  that  I  do,  not  because  it  is  worse  than  others, 
nor  because  it  can  be  more  easily  exposed,  but  because  it  relates  to  a  matter 
that  has  had  some  prominence  in  this  correspondence  and  has  attracted 
some  attention  in  the  community.  I  allude  to  the  baptism.  The  letter 
says,  "  Your  memory  seems  equally  at  fault  in  reference  to  the  7-ebel baptism, 
or  rather  the  language  you  use  is  calculated  to  create  an  erroneous  impres- 
sion. You  say  the  parents  never  informed  you  what  name  the  child  was  to 
bear  'until,  in  the  very  act  of  administering  the  sacrament,  you  asked  them. ' 
But  other  persons  did  inform  you,  several  weeks  before  the  baptism,  that 
it  was  to  be  baptized  Sterling  Price."     Now,  any  one  reading  this  sentence 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  143 

would,  I  think,  infer  that  I  had  disingenuously  concealed  the  fact  that  the 
child's  name  had  ever  been  mentioned  to  me ;  that  in  some  way  they  had 
come  to  the  knowledge  that  I  knew  it  before,  and  that  they  felt  bound  to 
expose  the  duplicity  of  my  course. 

But  what  will  impartial  men  think  when  they  are  informed  that  what  they 
know  of  this  matter  is  just  what  they  learned  from  my  own  lips;  that  in  a 
public  meeting  where  I  met  those  who  are  represented  by  this  committee 
— two  of  the  committee  being  present — I  read  the  paper  in  which  I  say,  as 
quoted  above,  "neither  of  the  parents  informed  me,"  &c;  and  after 
reading  it  I  remarked  to  these  very  gentlemen,  that  while  what  I  here  said 
was  the  simple  truth,  that  I  thought  it  proper  to  say  to  them  that  I  had 
been  told  that  the  child  was  to  be  called  Sterling  Price,  but  in  a  connection 
and  under  circumstances  that  made  me  believe  it  was  a  jest ;  that  I  had 
dismissed  it  from  my  mind,  and  the  name  took  me  as  much  by  suprise  as  it 
did  the  congregation.  Now,  I  submit  it  to  the  candor  of  all  men,  if  those 
who  have  no  "  personal  unfriendUness  "  to  me,  "some  of  whom  have  been 
my  warm  and  devoted  personal  friends,"  should  take  a  fact  which  I  volun- 
teered to  give  them  and  make  it  impeach  the  very  candor  that  led  me  to 
mention  it. 

It  is  with  real  sadness  that  I  have  to  add  that  this  is  not  an  unfair  example 
of  the  spirit  of  this  letter.  And  when  the  opportunity  is  offered  before  an 
ecclesiastical  court  (where  it  can  be  done  with  the  least  scandal  J,  I  pledge 
myself  to  make  this  declaration  good  concerning  the  body  of  the  statements 
and  the  spirit  that  animates  the  whole  letter. 

To  those  who  are  represented  by  this  committee  I  wish  to  say  that  I  do 
not  hold  them  responsible  for  the  manner  and  matter  of  this  communication. 
I  believe  that  many  of  them  will  not  approve  it. 

It  is  due  to  the  public,  and  such  of  my  friends  as  have  not  already  been 
informed,  to  say  that  a  small  pamphlet,  which  I  had  printed  for  the  use  of 
my  congregation,  contains  the  correspondence,  and  the  reasons  for  and 
circumstances  tinder  which  it  was  printed,  and  will  correctly  inform  those 
who  wish  correct  information  on  this  whole  matter.  This  pamphlet  can  be 
procured  from  me  or  any  of  the  members  of  Pine  Street  Church.  For  the 
information  of  such  as  may  not  take  the  trouble  to  procure  or  read  one  of 
these  pamphlets  I  will  give  a  brief  statement  of  the  point  at  issue  between 
myself  and  these  gentlemen. 

Some  of  the  members  of  my  church  claim  that,  in  virtue  of  the  relation 
in  which  I  stand  to  them   as  pastor,  they  have  a  right  to  demand,  and 


144  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

they  have  demanded,  my  written  opinion  and  personal  position  upon  the 
civil  and  political  questions  which  now  agitate  the  nation. 

This  claim  of  right  I  deny,  and  have  felt  bound  in  duty  and  conscience  to 
treat  it  as  a  jnattcr  of  principle.  What  they  claim  as  a  right  has  no  exist- 
ence. Nothing  in  the  standard  of  our  church,  nothing  in  the  relation  of  a 
pastor  to  his  people,  involves  or  implies  the  existence  of  such  a  right. 
There  is  not  an  ecclesiastical  tribunal  known  to  my  church  that  would  pre- 
tend to  claim  for  itself  such  a  right.  The  whole  circumstances  connected 
with  the  getting  up  of  the  paper — its  formal  manner,  formal  presentation — 
all  led  me  understand  that  the  movers  in  the  matter  were  asserting  what 
they  regarded  as  a  right.  There  are  times  when  a  wise  man,  for  the  sake 
of  peace,  may  yield  even  his  rights,  or  at  least  waive  them.  But  everything 
around  me  warned  me  that  this  was  no  time  to  yield  to  such  a  claim.  Po- 
htical  questions  are  the  all-absorbing  subjects  of  men's  thoughts;  the  spirit 
of  the  day  is  characterized  by  lawlessness  and  radicalism ;  the  community 
in  which  I  live  is  excited  and  divided ;  all  the  parties  and  opinions  to.  be 
found  any  where  are  to  be  found  here.  Under  such  circumstances  I  could 
not  but  see  that  weakly  to  yield  the  claim  to  such  a  right  was  to  cut  loose 
from  sure  moorings  and  put  to  sea  in  a  raging  storm.  It  was  plain  to  see 
that  the  principle  once  acknowledged  and  the  practice  once  inaugurated,  I 
could  not  stop.  If  a  pastor  gives  his  written  opinion  on  the  object  and  end 
of  the  war,  why  not  on  the  President's  proclamation  ?  Why  not  any  civil 
question  ? 

If  Emancipationists  may  interrogate  their  pastor,  Democrats  may  do  the 
same.  Any  man,  of  any  opinion,  may  claim  the  same  right.  It  requires  no 
great  penetration  to  see  that  the  dictatorial  spirit  which  begins  such  a  course 
becomes  but  more  exacting  the  more  it  is  gratified.  Resistance  at  the  be- 
ginning, and  resistance  on  some  well  defined  principle,  is  clearly  the  only 
resistance  that  can  hope  to  be  effectual. 

Again,  I  resisted  the  demand  because  I  regarded  it  as  a  duty  which  I 
owed  to  all  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  who  are  not  willing  to  become  poli- 
ticians. Example  is  contagious.  Restless,  radical,  fanatical  men  unhap- 
pily abound.  There  is  a  sympathy  that  binds  them  together  like  a  common 
instinct.  They  move  in  concert.  Agitation  is  their  main  weapon ;  where 
they  begin  they  do  not  stop.  Let  any  one  look  at  this  letter.  It  will  be 
seen  that  these  gentlemen  feel  that  they  have  a  mission ;  they  feel  called 
upon,  in  the  "conscientious  discharge  of  their  duty  to  God  and  the  gov- 
ernment under  which  they  live,"  not  only  to  regulate  their  own  pastor  and 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  I45 

church,  but  other  pastors  and  churches  in  this  city ;  nay,  more,  through  the 
Presbytery  and  Synod  (composed  of  ministers  and  representatives  of  the 
churches),  the  pastors  and  churches  of  half  the  State.  Did  not  the  peace  of 
the  church  require  me  firmly  and  at  all  hazards  to  resist  the  demands  of  such 
men?  Again,  I  resisted  because  the  teachings  and  practice  of  my  v.'hole 
ministerial  hfe  solemnly  pledged  me  to  resist.  In  all  places  and  at  all  times 
I  have  opposed,  to  the  full  extent  of  my  ability,  the  introduction  ot  civil, 
secular  and  political  questions  into  the  house  of  God.  As  a  pastor,  and 
because  I  am  a  pastor,  I  have  stood  aloof  from  these  things,  even  in  my 
private  relations.  In  the  church  courts,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest, 
when  the  current  was  with  me  and  when  it  was  against  me,  I  have  resisted 
with  all  the  influence  and  ability  that  I  had  the  introduction  and  decision  of 
such  questions.  I  have  nothing  to  conceal  on  this  subject,  and  nothing  to 
retract.  I  thank  God  for  what  he  has  enabled  me  to  do,  and  only  regret 
that  I  was  not  able  to  do  more.  The  Constitution  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  which  every  minister  in  his  ordination  vows  declares  that  he 
"sincerely  receives  and  adopts  as  containing  the  system  of  doctrines  taught 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures,"  says:  "Synods  or  councils  are  to  handle  or  con- 
clude nothing  but  what  is  ecclesiastical,  and  are  not  to  intermeddle  Anth 
civil  affairs  which  concern  the  Commonwealth."  The  chuch  is  bound  by 
her  fundamental  laws  to  exclude  these  matters  from  her  courts." 

As  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  I  have  only  to  say  that  the  point  from  which 
I  regard  and  deal  with  men  has  never  been  as  citizens  of  the  commonwealth, 
having  civil  duties  to  perform,  but  as  "fallen  sinners,  having  need  of  salva- 
tion ;  "  and  the  great  thing  at  which  I  have  aimed,  and  to  which  I  have 
subordinated  everything  else,  is  to  bring  them  to  the  cross,  to  reconcile 
them  to  God  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  to  imbue  them  with  the 
spirit  of  the  Divine  Master.  In  saying  this  I  neither  forget  nor  ignore  the 
fact  that  I  am  the  authorized  expounder  of  revelation  which  touches  the 
entire  circle  of  human  duty.  But  I  hold  this  to  be  true,  that  when  men 
have  an  intellectual  acquaintance  with  their  civil  or  social  duties,  and  fail  or 
refuse  to  do  them,  that  the  speediest,  the  most  effectual  way  to  bring  them 
to  their  performance  is  to  press  upon  their  hearts  and  consciences  the  great 
doctrines  of  the  cross.  The  all-comprehending  source  of  sin  is  alienation 
from  God.  Bring  them  back  to  God  and  you  bring  them  back  to  all  their 
duties.  This  is  my  theory,  and  has  been  my  practice  since  I  entered  the 
ministry. 

I  believe,   moreover,  in  the   complete   and   absolute   separation   of  the 

JO 


146  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

Church  and  the  State.  As  a  minister  of  the  Church,  I  hold  that  I  have 
nothing  to  do  with  the  affairs  of  the  State.  I  have  no  commission  to  uphold 
the  State,  much  less  have  I  to  seek  its  overthrow.  For  me  to  use  in  any 
way  or  to  any  degree  my  sacred  office,  or  the  influence  which  it  gives  me, 
to  subvert  the  State,  to  breed  discontents  in  it,  to  hinder  its  legitimate 
action,  would,  in  my  esteem,  be  sacrilege,  a  high  and  heaven-daring  sin.  As 
a  citizen,  I  hold  it  to  be  a  most  important  and  indispensable  part  of  my  duty 
to  God  to  obey  law,  to  submit  to  the  authorities,  to  pray  for  them,  to  render 
them  the  honor  due  their  several  stations,  and  to  promote  peace  and  quiet- 
ness.    These  things,  I  solemnly  declare,  I  have  habitually  aimed  to  do, 

I  had  no  reason  to  expect  the  trial  that  has  come  upon  me  from  the  con- 
duct of  some  of  the  members  of  my  Church.  How  they  reconcile  their 
conduct  to  their  own  consciences  I  do  not  pretend  to  know.  Their  whole 
course  has  been  to  me  a  mystery,  and  a  painful  one.  They  bring  the 
gravest  charges  against  me  for  doing  just  what  they  themselves  have  done. 
The  writer  of  the  letter  published  in  the  Democrat  was,  until  a  short  time 
ago,  superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  School ;  to  him  was  committed  the 
instruction  and  guidance  of  the  youth  of  the  Church.  He  was  in  the  habit 
of  opening  the  school  by  reading  and  expounding  a  passage  of  Scripture. 
When  present  at  our  social  meetings  he  has  time  and  again  been  asked  to 
lead  in  prayer,  yet  never  in  his  pubhc  teaching,  never  in  social  prayer,  has 
he  ever  said  a  word  or  offered  a  petition  from  which  any  one  could  have 
gathered  v/hat  his  sentiments  were  on  the  absorbing  topics  of  the  day.  I 
do  not  reproach  him  for  this — I  commend  him.  But  why  should  he  re- 
proach me  when  I  have  gone  much  farther  in  all  these  things  than  he  ever 
went? 

But  1  drop  this  whole  subject.  I  have  been  reluctantly  dragged  before 
the  community.  I  now  retire  with  the  full  purpose  not  to  appear  again  in 
this  matter.  If  any  choose  to  misrepresent  my  position,  to  impeach  my 
motives,  to  slander  my  name,  I  will  bear  it  with  what  Christian  fortitude  I 
can  command.  I  am  comforted  in  the  fact  i\i2l  fotir-Jiftks  of  my  Church — 
I  speak  advisedly — and  that  without  distinction  of  party  or  opinions,  with 
all  my  infirmities,  continue  to  me  their  confidence  and  support,  and  I  have 
what  is  better,  the  testimony  of  my  own  conscience.  The  excitement  of 
the  present  will  not  always  last.  A  time  of  reflection  will  come.  Then  those 
ministers  of  the  Gospel  who  in  these  wild  times  have  tried  to  calm  excite- 
ment, to  soothe  asperities,  who  have  kept  themselves  to  the  Master's 
work,  will  not  be  in  dishonor.     I  can  afford  to  wait,  and,  if  need  be,  suffer 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  147 

-while  I  wait.  I  appeal  to  the  future  to  vindicate  my  course ;  and  if  I  am 
not  spared  to  see  that  future  on  earth,  yet  I  know  assuredly  that  another 
future  comes,  and  I  am  infinitely  more  anxious  that  my  course  should  be 
approved  then  than  now.  For  this  I  hope  and  labor,  and  am  willing,  I 
trust,  to  suffer;  and  knowing,  too,  that  when  that  day  comes  I  shall  only 
escape  by  ha\'ing  much  forgiven,  it  becomes  me,  and  I  do  now,  from  my 
heart,  desire  to  forgive  others. 

Dr.  McPheeters  also  complains  that  G.  P.  Strong  ••'  had 
omitted  from  his  published  pamphlet  the  names  of  those  indi- 
viduals who  urgently  protested  against  the  persecution  of  the 
pastor."  He  says,  in  addition,  "  I  have  been  informed  that  a 
paper  is  being  circulated,  the  object  of  which  is  to  get  members 
of  the  Church  to  pledge  themselves  to  ask  a  dissolution  of  the 
pastoral  relation  existing  between  myself  and  Pine  Street 
Church.  This  proceeding  is  extraordinary,  unknown  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  manifest  violation  of  its  Constitu- 
tion and  usages." 

The  foregoing  complaint  of  Dr.  McPheeters  is  fully  sustained 
by  testimony  gathered  from  a  source  that  leaves  no  margin  for 
doubt.  A  cautious,  intelligent  and  conscientious  member  of 
Pine  Street  congregation  states  : 

During  the  troubles  in  Pine  Street  Church  one  of  the  male  members  of 
the  Church  who  was  active  in  procuring  signatures  to  a  paper  calling  on 
Dr.  McPheeters  to  resign  his  pastoral  charge,  was  also  a  member  of  the 
Public  School  Board.  Among  others  he  called  on  a  young  lady,  who  was 
employed  as  a  teacher  in  one  of  the  Public  Schools,  and  requested  her  sig- 
nature to  the  paper  which  he  presented.  She,  however,  promptly  dechned 
to  do  so,  for  the  reason,  as  she  stated,  that  she  admired  and  loved  Dr. 
McPheeters,  and  did  not  wish  to  part  with  him  as  her  pastor.  Whereupon 
he  threatened  her  with  peremptory  dismissal  from  her  situation  in  the  Pub- 
lic School  if  she  persisted  in  her  refusal  to  sign  the  paper.  The  young  lady 
was  poor,  and  entirely  dependent  on  her  salary  as  a  teacher,  not  only  for 
her  own  support,  but  also  for  the  support  of  her  mother  and  her  family. 
When,  therefore,  the  alternative  of  signing  the  odious  paper  or  losing  her 


148  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    ]\l'PHEETERS,    D.   D. 

situation,  and  thereby  bringing  penury  on  herself  and  on  the  large  family 
dependent  on  her,  was  presented  by  one  who  had  the  power  to  carry  his 
threat  into  execution,  she  reluctantly  affixed  her  signature  to  it.  But  no 
sooner  did  she  do  this  than  she  at  once  sought  Dr.  McPheeters  at  his  res- 
idence, frankly  told  him  what  she  had  done,  and  stated  to  him  the  circum- 
stances under  which  she  had  acted.  At  the  same  time  assuring  him  of  her 
ardent  and  unchanged  affection,  she  burst  into  tears,  and  asked  for  and 
obtained  her  letter  of  dismission  from  the  Church  in  which  she  could  no 
longer  consent  to  remain. 

What  amount  of  personal  ill-feeling  on  the  part  of  "the 
committee"  lay  at  the  bottom  of  this  con-espondence  it  is 
altogether  needless  to  conjecture.  Dr.  McPheeters  said  in  his 
speech  before  the  Assembly :  "  Mr.  Strong,  just  before  his  letter 
came  to  me,  twice  asked  me  to  go  to  the  Provisional  Governor 
of  Missouri  and  make  favorable  mention  of  him  as  a  suitable 
person  to  be  appointed  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
State;  and  while,  for  reasons  which  I  gave  him,  I  never  did  as 
requested,  yet  it  seemed  to  me  very  strange  that  he  should 
make  such  a  request  if  he  thought  me  so  notoriously  a  bad 
citizen  as  to  injure  my  character  as  a  Christian  minister." 

The  next  development  in  this  remarkable  drama  was  the 
order  issued  by  the  military  for  the  banishment  of  Dr.  McPhee- 
ters and  his  wife  from  the  State  of  Missouri.  That  order  reads 
as  follows : 

Office  Provost-Marshal  Gen'l,  Dep't  of  ti-ie  Missouri,  ? 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  December  19,  1862.       \ 

[Special  Order  No.  152.] 

Whereas,    On  account  of  unmistakable  evidence  of  sympathy  with  the 

rebellion  on  the  part  of  Rev.  Samuel  B.  IMcPheeters,  pastor  of  the  Pine 

Street  Church,  certain  loyal  members  of  his  congregation,  about  six  months 

since,  urged  him  to  avow  his  sentiments  openly,  and  to  take  a  stand  in 

favor  of  the  Government,  which  he  has  refused  to  do,  and  has  also  published 

and  circulated  two  letters  within  the  last  two  weeks   in  which  he  not  only 

refuses  to  declare  whether  he  is  in  favor  of  the  success  of  the  authorities  of 

the  nation  in  their  efforts  to  put  dov/n  a  cruel  and  desolating  rebellion,  and 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    MTHEETERS,    D.  D.  149 

has  failed  to  remove  a  wide-spread  and  increasing  impression  that  he  desires 
the  success  of  the  rebel  cause ;  and,  whereas,  the  said  McPheeters,  acting 
with  others  of  the  same  denomination,  has  used  all  the  influence  of  his 
ministerial  character  to  prevent  the  body  of  the  Church  with  which  he  is 
connected  from  declaring  or  manifesting  its  loyalty  to  the  Government,  and 
has  refused  to  observe,  in  their  obvious  meaning  and  intent,  the  recom- 
mendations of  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  the  various  churches, 
and  has  allowed  the  influence  of  his  wife,  his  brothers  and  intimate  associ- 
ates to  seduce  him  from  an  open  and  manly  support  of  the  Government 
into  active  sympathy  with  the  rebellion,  whereby  the  influence  of  his  minis- 
terial position  has  greatly  encouraged  the  enemies  of  the  Government  in 
their  wicked  schemes  for  its  overthrow,  and  is  still  exerting  an  injurious  in- 
fluence, especially  upon  the  youth  and  other  members  of  his  congregation, 
leading  them  to  believe  that  he  sympathizes  with  the  rebels  and  justifies 
their  cause,  and  to  adopt  sentiments  of  hostility  to  the  Government  and  to 
become  active  rebels ;  and,  whereas,  in  all  his  course  of  unfriendliness  to 
the  Government,  and  sympathy  with,  and  favor  to,  rebels,  the  said  Mc- 
Pheeters has  been  stimulated  and  encouraged,  if  not  led  on,  by  his  wife, 
who  openly  avows  herself  a  rebel ;  whereby  the  said  McPheeters  and  his 
wife  have  forfeited  the  right  to  the  protection  and  favor  of  the  Government 
in  their  present  position,  and  have  become  promoters  of  rebellion  and  civil 
discord.  Therefore,  it  is  ordered  that  the  said  McPheeters  and  his  wife 
leave  the  State  of  IMissouri,  within  ten  days  after  the  service  of  this  order, 
and  that  they  take  up  their  residence  within  the  Free  States,  north  of  Indian- 
apohs  and  west  of  Pennsylvania,  and  remain  there  during  the  war,  and  that 
said  McPheeters  cease  from  this  date  to  exercise  the 'functions  of  his  office 
within  the  State  of  Missouri,  and  that  he  deliver  to  the  Clerk  of  Pine  Street 
Church  all  books,  records  and  papers  belonging  to  the  Church. 

It  is  further  ordered  that  the  church  edifice,  books  and  papers,  at  the 
corner  of  Eleventh  and  Pine  streets,  be  placed  under  the  control  of  three 
loyal  members  of  Pine  Street  Church,  namely :  George  P.  Strong,  James 
M.  Corbett  and  John  M.  Ferguson,  who  shall  see  that  its  pulpit  be  filled 
by  a  loyal  minister  of  the  Gospel,  who  can  invoke  the  blessing  of  the  Head 
of  the  Church  upon  the  efforts  of  the  Government  to  re-establish  its 
authority. 

By  command  of  Major-General  Curtis. 

F.  A.  DICK, 

Provost-Marshal  Gciieral  Deft  of  Missouri. 


150  MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

The  New  York  Express,  after  reciting  the  order  of  banish- 
ment against  Dr.  McPheeters,  remarks  : 

Such  an  order,  unaccompanied  by  a  single  proof  of  any  one  of  its  alle- 
gations, naturally  excites  the  indignation  of  loyal  people.  The  Jotu-nal 
speaks  of  it  in  terms  of  "astonishment  and>  abhorrence."  There  is  no 
charge  that  this  banished  minister  has  taught  treason,  or  that  he  has  com- 
mitted any  crime  known  to  the  law.  There  is  no  evidence  that  he  is  a  rebel, 
or  in  sympathy  with  the  rebellion.  All  that  he  has  done  is,  as  a  Presbyterian 
minister,  in  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  he  has  used 
the  influence  of  his  ministerial  character  to  prevent  that  body  from  taking 
political  action,  and  also,  as  a  servant  of  Christ,  refused  to  take  any  part 
whatever  in  the  contest  which  divides  the  Church,  his  city  and  his  country. 

Even  the  accusations  against  him  come  from  a  very  small  minority  of 
Abolitionists  in  the  Church.  The  large  majority  concur  with  their  pastor, 
who  claim,  as  does  the  minister  himself,  that  he  has  thought  it  wise  to  use 
the  Sabbath  not  to  preach  vrar  and  politics,  but  the  gospel  of  Christ.  The 
banishment  of  such  a  man  is  a  dishonor  to  the  Provost- Marshal  and  to  the 
government  which  he  misrepresents.  If  the  Provost-Marshal  acted  upon 
the  order  of  Gen.  Curtis ,  the  dishonor  falls  upon  him.  Mr.  Lincoln  and 
his  wife  each  attend  a  Presbyterian  Church  in  Washington,  not  unlike  the 
one  in  St.  Louis,  and  their  pastor  is  just  as  amenable  to  arrest  as  this  min- 
ister in  St.  Louis,  for  there  the  gospel,  and  not  war  or  politics,  as  we  have 
been  told,  is  preached.  Let  Mr.  Lincoln,  as  President  of  the  United  States, 
think  of  such  an  outrage  committed  on  the  person  of  Rev.  Dr.  Gurley  in 
Washington.  What»is  here  done  is  to  declare  that  the  Presbyterian  Church 
is  amenable  to  military  law,  and  the  advocating  in  its  Sessions  of  the  doc- 
trine that  the  Church  owes  allegiance  to  God,  and  not  to  any  earthly  power, 
is  made  the  cause  of  military  punishment !  A  clerg)'man  in  the  sanctuary 
of  the  Church  is  threatened  with  military  punishment  if  he  dare  uphold  the 
doctrine  that  his  Church  owes  only  the  allegiance  which  Paul  and  John,  and 
the  dead  saints  and  martyrs  of  all  countries  and  ages,  members  of  one  and 
the  same  Church,  owe. 

The  younial  of  Commerce,  referring  to  the  charge,  in  the 
military  order  of  banishment,  that  Dr.  McPheeters  neglected 
"  the  recommendation  of  the  President  to  the  various  Churches" 
to  perform  certain  prayers,  remarks  : 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  151 

Is  it  America  ?  Is  this  the  nineteenth  century  ?  Do  men  imagine  that 
God  is  to  be  worshiped  in  compulsory  forms  in  this  country?  If  IMr.  Lin- 
coln approves  this  act,  he  would  do  well  at  once  to  import  a  quantity  of 
Chinese  praying  machines,  put  his  proclamation  in  them,  and  set  them  at 
work  with  Provost-Marshals,  to  grind  out  prayers  for  the  nation. 

The  Leader^  a  British  Canadian  journal,  in  the  course  of  a 
review  of  the  several  charges  against  Dr.  ^IcPheeters  in  the 
military  order,  remarks : 

This  remarkable  theologico-military  indictment  and  adjudication  is 
manifestly  framed  with  a  view  to  dodge  the  responsibility  of  making  false 
charges,  and  at  the  same  time  to  create  the  impression  that  a  charge  of  some 
crime  against  the  State  deser\'ing  of  banishment  is  really  hidden  under 
this  mass  of  verbiage.  A  very  simple  analysis,  however,  into  formal  and 
tangible  specifications  makes  it  manifest  that  Dr.  M'Pheeters'  whole  crime 
consists  in  having,  with  fidelity  to  his  principles  as  a  minister  of  Christ, 
whose  "kingdom  is  not  of  this  world,"  and  fidelity  to  his  principles  as  an 
American  citizen,  refused,  as  his  Master  did  under  similar  circumstances,  to 
prostitute  his  official  position  to  the  purposes  of  partisan  zeal. 

Now,  observe,  it  is  not  even  charged  that  Dr.  !M'Pheeters  ever  avowed 
himself  against  the  government,  much  less  committed  any  act  of  hostility 
against  the  government.  This  would  have  been  too  notoriously  a  false- 
hood. Dr.  !McPheeters  never  was,  as  we  are  informed,  even  in  opinion,  a 
secessionist,  properly  so-called ;  but,  so  far  as  he  expressed  any  opinions 
privately,  as  a  citizen,  concurred  mainly  with  the  great  Democratic  party  in 
the  North,  and  was,  therefore,  as  justly  liable  to  banishment  on  that  score 
as  any  one  of  the  milHons  of  Democrats — no  more,  no  less.  It  is  certainly 
high  time  that  these  Democrats,  who  have  freed  themselves  from  the  yoke 
in  the  North,  should  be  looking  after  their  brethren  in  the  Border  States, 
also,  who  are  thus  suffering  martyrdom  for  the  same  faith. 

In  regard  to  the  second  specification,  that  Dr.  McPheeters  used  "his 
influence  to  prevent  the  body  of  the  Church  with  which  he  is  connected 
from  declaring  or  manifesting  its  loyalty — that  is,  that  he  made  a  speech  in 
his  Presbyterian  General  Assembly  against  a  political  judgment  by  that 
body — a  Briton  who  has  heard  the  patronizing  sympathy  of  Americans  for 
his  sad  condition  under  a  Church  and  State  government  may  hardly  sup- 
press a  smile.  How  oddly  would  the  proposition  strike  a  Scotchman  or  an 
Englishman,  that  a  minister  should  be  banished  for  the  crime  of  having 


152  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

made  a  speech  in  General  Assembly  of  the  Kirk  or  in  Convocation  against 
an  ecclesiastical  deliverance. 

But  the  most  remarkable  point  made  by  Mr.  Lincoln's  mihtary  court  as 
*'a.  ground  of  banishment"  is  yet  to  be  noticed.  Dr.  McPheeters  has  been 
stimulated  and  encouraged  by  /12s  ivife,  who  openly  avows  herself  a  ' '  rebel ! " 
Tliis  is,  we  confess,  to  us,  a  novel  ground  for  the  banishment  of  a  man — 
his  wife  is  a  rebel !  We  have  heard  before,  but  only  as  an  illustration  of  the 
ignorance  of  Virginia  justices  in  the  old  times  of  the  whipping-post — of  a 
magistrate  who  sentenced  a  citizen  to  twenty  lashes  because  his  wife  stole 
wool,  from  a  misapphcation  of  the  principle  of  the  husband's  responsibility 
for  the  acts  of  his  wnfe.  But  never  till  now  have  we  supposed  that  this 
novel  application  of  the  doctrine  of  the  husband's  responsibility  was  cur- 
rent in  American  military  courts ! 

In  perfect  consistency  with  all  that  precedes,  and  with  the  suggestion 
of  the  Journal  of  Comf?ie)'ce,  Dr.  M'Pheeters'  church,  records  of  Church 
Sessions  and  all,  are  ordered  into  the  possession  of  "three  loyal  members," 
with  instructions,  in  effect,  to  turn  the  establishment  into  a  praying  machine 
for  "invoking  the  blessing  of  the  Head  of  the  Church  on  the  efforts  of  the 
government,"  &c.  Of  course,  consistency  demands  next  the  issue  of  an 
"Order  No.  3,"  supplementary  to  this,  requiring  every  man  and  his  wife  and 
child  to  visit  the  praying  machine,  every  Sunday  at  least,  under  pain  of  ban- 
ishment ;  for,  in  the  new  theory  of  religion,  of  what  use  are  the  prayers  if 
no  audience  is  present  to  be  made  loyal,  or  preserved  in  their  loyally,  by 
them  ? 

The  Session  of  Pine  Street  Church  held  a  regular  meeting  on 
the  20th  of  December,  1862.  Present:  Elders  Jno.  Whitehill, 
Wm.  T.  Wood,  Alex.  Marshall,  David  K.  Ferguson  and  Wm. 
W.  Greene.  A  note  was  received  from  the  pastor,  in  which  he 
says,  "  A  military  order,  which  you  have,  no  doubt,  seen,  is  the 
cause  of  my  not  being  with  you  this  evening.  I  enclose  a 
copy  of  said  order."  On  the  reading  of  which  communication 
and  order  it  was  unanimously  resolved — 

I.  By  the  Standards  and  Constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the 
government  and  discipline  of  the  Church  is  in  the  Session  of  the  Church, 
composed  of  the  Pastor  and  Elders,  chosen  and  elected  by  the  people ;  and 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 


153 


the  Session  only  has,  or  can  have,  the  rightful  custody  and  control  of  the 
church  edifice  and  books  and  papers  of  the  Church. 

2.  The  Constitution  of  the  Church  pro\ddes  for  the  selection  of  pastors 
and  ministers,  and  only  in  the  modes  provided  can  a  pastor  or  minister  be 
appointed  or  elected  for  any  church  or  congi-egation.  All  power  and  control 
in  the  selection  of  pastors  and  ministers  is,  by  our  Constitution,  denied  to 
the  civil  or  other  government,  or  other  human  power  outside  of  the  Church. 

3.  As  members  of  this  Session,  we  are  under  solemn  vows  to  obey  and 
maintain  the  Constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church ;  and  whilst  we  yield 
obedience  to  said  mihtary  order,  and  surrender,  so  far  as  we  have  posses- 
sion and  custody,  our  church  edifice,  books  and  papers  to  the  control  of  the 
individuals  indicated — to-wit:  George  P.  Strong,  James  M.  Corbitt  and 
John  M.  Ferguson,  a  sense  of  duty  constrains  us  to  record  our  convictions 
that  the  necessary  effect  of  the  order  is  to  suspend,  while  the  order  is  in 
force,  organized  church  action. 

4.  We  earnestly  urge  and  entreat  all  the  members  of  the  Church  not  to 
suffer  this  sore  affliction  to  scatter  our  little  flock,  but  to  maintain  steadfastly 
their  present  relations  with  Pine  Street  Church,  and,  in  faith  and  trust  and 
Christian  patience,  await  the  return  of  the  day  when,  in  God's  providence, 
the  possession  and  control  of  our  church  edifice,  and  the  government  and 
discipline  of  the  Church,  shall  be  restored  to  us,  to  be  used  and  exercised 
in  accordance  with  the  Constitution  and  Standards  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

5.  We  know  not  on  what  evidence  the  military  authorities  acted,  as  their 
order  affects  our  pastor,  the  Rev.  Samuel  B.  McPheeters,  and  intend  no 
impeachment  of  their  action ;  but,  adhering  to  our  pastor  as  we  do,  and  as 
our  solemn  vows  require  of  us,  a  sense  of  duty  impels  us  to  bear  our  testi- 
mony to  his  rare  talents  and  efficiency  as  a  minister  and  to  his  faithfulness 
as  a  pastor.  We  have  been  on  terms  of  most  familiar  intercourse  with  him. 
We  believe  more  than  four-fifths  of  the  church  and  congregation  would 
unite  with  us  in  this  utterance.  We  commend  him  to  the  sympathy  and 
affection  of  God's  people,  wherever  he  may  go  or  sojourn  in  his  involuntary 
wanderings  from  the  people  of  his  charge,  whom  he  so  much  loves. 

6.  We  have  no  purpose  in  these  resolutions  to  criticise  the  order  of  the 
military  referred  to;  our  only  aim  has  been  to  declare  our  views  of  our 
powers  and  duty  as  a  Church  Session  in  the  circumstances  that  surround  us. 

On  December  28th,  1862,  the  following  paper  was  placed  in 


154  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

Dr.  McPheeters'  hands  :  *'  The  order  made  against  you,  on  the 
19th  December,  is  modified,  until  further  orders,  to  this  extent: 
that  you  are  not  required  to  leave  the  State." 

The  Session  met  once  more,  on  March  loth,  1863.  ]\Iilitary 
order.  No.  25,  dated  4th  March,  1863,  was  read.  That  order 
is  as  follows : 

Special  Order,  152,  Par.  II,  of  date  of  19th  December,  1862,  relating  to 
the  Pine  Stueet  Presbyterian  Church,  is  hereby  further  modified,  as  follows : 
It  appearing  that  Messrs  Strong,  Corbitt  and  Ferguson  have  not  taken 
charge  of  the  church  edifice,  books  and  papers,  so  much  of  said  order  as 
directed  them  to  do  so  is  now  rescinded. 
By  order  of  Maj.-Gen'I  S.  R.  Curtis. 

F.  A.  DICK, 
Lieut. -Col.  and  Provost-Marshal-General. 

At  this  meeting,  a  letter,  written  by  George  P.  Strong,  James 
M.  Corbitt  and  J.  jM.  Ferguson,  was  read  to  the  Session. 
Whereupon  it  was 

Resolved^  That  the  aforesaid  military  order,  and  the  letter  of  George  P. 
Strong  and  others,  and  all  other  matters  and  things  relating  to  the  condition 
of  the  Church,  be  referred  to  a  committee  of  three  to  consider  and  report 
upon  to  Session  at  its  next  meeting. 

The  Moderator  appointed  on  said  committee  Elders  Wood, 
Marshall  and  Greene. 

The  Session  met  again  on  March  12th,  1863.  The  report 
of  the  committee  appointed  at  last  meeting  was  called  for  and 
read.     It  recites  in  part  that 

From  the  20th  December,  the  day  Session  acted  on  the  subject,  up  to 
about  the  last  of  February  thereafter,  the  church  edifice  was  regarderd  as 
under  the  control  of  the  Mihtary  Committee  by  the  Sexton,  the  Session,  and 
a  large  majority  of  the  congregation,  and,  indeed,  by  all  persons  as  far  as 
known  to  members  of  Session. 

The  order  from  INIr.  Strong,  on  the  20th  of  December,  to  lock  up  the 
church,  was  without  consultation  with  the  Session  or  any  member  of  it. 
Some   days  after  this  a  room  in  the  basement,  known  as  the  Pastor's  Study, 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  155 

and  used  for  Sunday  School  purposes,  was  placed  in  the  possession  of  some 
ladies  for  sewing  purposes ;  and  from  about  or  near  the  same  time  ministers 
were  provided  for  the  pulpit  every  Sabbath,  and  Wednesday  evening  prayer 
meetings  were  kept  up  in  the  basement.  A  choir  was  also  provided,  to 
whom  the  regular  church  choir  felt  that  they  were  constrained  to  give 
place.  All  this  was  without  authority  from  the  Session,  and  without  con- 
sultation with  them.  And  all  this  the  Session  supposed  was  done  by  order 
of  the  Military  Committee,  until  on  Saturday,  about  the  last  of  February, 
when  Mr.  Strong  informed  one  of  the  members  of  the  Session  that  he,  as 
well  as  the  other  two  named  on  the  ^Military  Committee,  had,  with  the  con- 
sent of  Gen.  Curtis  and  Col.  Dick,  declined  to  act  as  a  ^Military  Committee, 
and  had  not  so  acted,  and  that  all  that  had  been  done  in  and  with  the 
Church  had  been  done  by  them,  of  their  own  choice,  as  members  of  the 
Church,  claiming  a  right  so  to  act  as  such.  This  was  on  Saturday.  On 
the  next  day,  Sunday,  without  authority  from  the  Session,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  McCune,  then  occupying  the  pulpit,  also  without  such  authority, 
announced  a  meeting  of  the  Church  and  congregation  for  Wednesday  even- 
hig  then  next  following,  the  fourth  day  of  March. 

It  now  appears  from  Military  Order  No.  25,  as  well  as  from  the  letter  of 
Mr.  Strong  and  others,  that  the  gentlemen  named  in  the  first  Order  as  a 
Committee  declined  to  act  as  such.  It,  therefore,  becomes  a  question — a 
grave  question — how  far  our  Constitution  and  Standards  will  furnish  author- 
ity for  the  acts,  such  as  have  been  specified,  of  members  of  a  Church, 
merely  as  such,  and  in  a  small  minority  ? 

At  a  meeting  of  Pine  Street  Session,  on  ^larch  19,  Elder 
Strong  gave  notice  of  protest  against  the  adoption  of  the  report 
of  the  committee  and  the  resolutions  at  the  last  meeting  of 
Session,  and  asked  further  time  to  prepare  such  protest,  which 
was  granted  without  objection. 

When  Session  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment,  on  IMarch  28, 
Elder  Strong  offered  and  read  his  protest  against  the  action  of 
the  Session  of  March  12,  and  asked  that  the  same  be  recorded 
in  the  Minutes  of  the  Session.  He  also  presented  a  petition, 
signed  by  fifty-two  members  of  the  Church  and  congregation, 
asking  that  a  meeting  of  the  Church  and  congregation  be 
called  by  the  Session  as  early  as  notice  can  be  given. 


156  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

Thursday,  April  2,  1863.  Session  met  pursuant  to  adjourn- 
ment. The  protest  of  Elder  George  P.  Strong  was  recorded 
and  Messrs.  Wood,  Marshall  and  Greene  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  answer  the  same. 

On  April  8th  the  Session  met  to  hear  the  report  of  the 
committee  and  to  appoint  a  delegate  to  represent  this  church 
in  St.  Louis  Presbytery,  to  meet  at  Warrenton,  Mo.,  on  Friday, 
loth  instant.  Elder  Greene  was  elected  principal  and  Elder 
Whitehall  alternate. 

Pursuant  to  adjournment,  the  Session  of  Pine  Street  Church 
met  once  again,  on  April  9th,  1863,  at  five  o'clock.  Elder 
AVood  offered  a  letter,  prepared  for  presentation  to  Presbytery, 
asking  decision  and  instruction  on  the  following  points : 

1.  That  meetings  of  the  Church  and  congregation,  to  decide  matters 
affecting  the  interests  of  the  Church  and  binding  on  the  Church,  can  only 
be  regularly  called  by  the  Session  or  some  higher  judicatory. 

2.  That  the  Session  should  call  the  Church  and  congregation  together 
whenever,  in  their  judgment,  the  interests  of  the  Church  would  be  promoted 
by  so  doing. 

3.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Session  to  convene  the  Church  and  congre- 
gation when  a  majority  of  the  persons  entitled  to  vote  in  the  matter 
coming  before  such  a  meeting  shall,  by  a  petition,  request  that  a  meeting 
be  called.     [Form  of  Government,  Chap.  XV.,  Sec.  I.] 

We  respectfully  ask  your  reverend  body  to  tell  us  if  we  are  correct  in 
this  exposition  of  the  Constitution,  as  given  above,  and  to  make  such  further 
deliverance  in  the  matter  as  in  your  judgment  is  proper,  and  to  give  us 
notice  in  time  to  prevent  the  evil  feared  from  the  meeting  called  for  Wed- 
nesday evening  next.  By  regarding  our  petition  we  believe  you  will  pro- 
mote peace  and  unity  in  our  Church ;  and  may  the  blessing  and  guidance  of 
the  Head  of  the  Church  rest  upon  you  and  us. 

Resolutions  adopted  unanimously  by  the  Presbytery  of  St. 
Louis,  in  session  at  Warrenton,  Mo.,  April  loth,  1863,  in  an- 
swer to  Memorial  of  the  Session  of  Pine  Street  Presbyterian 
Church,  dated  8th  April,  1863: 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  157 

1.  That  meetings  of  the  Church  and  congregation  to  decide  matters  affect- 
ing the  spiritual  interests  of  the  Church  can  only  be  regularly  called  by 
the  Session  or  some  higher  judicatory. 

2.  That  the  Session  should  call  the  Church  and  congregation  together 
whenever,  in  their  judgment,  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  Church  ^Yould  be 
promoted  by  so  doing. 

3.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Session  to  convene  the  Church  and  congre- 
gation when  a  majority  of  the  persons  entitled  to  vote  on  the  matter  coming 
before  such  a  m.eeting  shall,  by  a  petition,  request  that  a  meeting  be  called. 
[Form  of  Government,  Chap.  XV.,  Sec.  i.] 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  military  authorities  had  not, 
as  yet,  ventured  upon  those  extreme  measures  toward  all  "  sus- 
pected" ministers  of  the  Gospel  which  were  afterward  adopted. 
Hence  the  Presbytery  which  met  at  Warrenton  was  composed 
not  simply  of  members  who  held  to  the  Erastian  theory,  but 
of  others  beside,  who  earnestly  contended  for  the  crown  rights 
of  Jesus  Christ.  Consequently,  in  answer  to  the  petition 
(which  contained  the  issues  between  the  minority  and  a  ma- 
jority of  Pine  Street  Session),  Presbytery  vindicated  the  doctrine 
of  the  Church's  Standards.  But,  notwithstanding  this  decision, 
George  P.  Strong,  at  the  call  of  a  minority  of  the  congregation, 
proceeded  to  hold  a  congregational  meeting,  and  otherwise 
effected  his  purposes. 

During  this  whole  period  Dr.  McPheeters  was  anxious  to 
meet  his  accusers  face  to  face.  But  the  privilege  was  peremp- 
torily denied.  "  A  military  court  pronounced  an  ecclesiastical 
sentence,  and  having  virtually  deposed  the  pastor,  proceeds  to 
order  his  banishment  from  the  State."  Great  credit  is  due  to 
those  members  of  the  Session  of  Pine  Street  Church  who 
remained  true  to  Constitutional  Presbyterianism  in  the  day  of 
fiery  trial.  It  was  through  the  instrumentality  of  these  "faith- 
ful ones  "  that  the  facts  of  the  case,  freed  from  sophistry,  were 
kept  distinctly  before  the  minds  of  the  people.     And  it  was 


158  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

during  this  struggle  "  that  the  eftbrts  and  schemes  of  the  active 
agents  of  the  persecution  to  procure  control  of  the  church 
edifice,  books,  &c.,  as  well  as  the  congregation  itself,  were 
fearfully  developed.  In  these  efforts  and  schemes,  assuming 
that  the  pastor  was  chained  hand  and  foot  by  the  military,  and 
Elders  and  people  in  daily  apprehension  of  arrest  and  trouble, 
they  tried  many  projects  and  expedients  and  devices,  which,  if 
they  had  not  been  met  with  much  caution  and  prudence  by 
the  members  of  the  Session  and  people,  would  have  been 
successful." 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  159 


CHAPTEE    IX. 

DR.  m'pHEETERS  puts  HIS  RESIGNATION  INTO  THE  HANDS  OF 
PRESBYTERY WHY? ERASTIAN  VIEWS  OF  NORTHERN  AS- 
SEMBLY. 

As  early  as  December  23,  1862,  the  pastor  determined  to 
visit  Washington  City  and  submit  the  whole  question  in  per- 
son to  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation.  In  connection  with 
the  preparations  for  this  visit,  Mrs.  McPheeters,  the  esteemed 
widow  of  the  deceased,  remarks :  "  I  mentioned  once  or 
twice,  in  conversation  with  you,  an  incident  that  occurred 
among  a  number  of  others  during  those  dark  days  of  trial  in 
St.  Louis,  that  impressed  my  mind  as  much  as  any  other 
(owing  to  all  the  surrounding  circumstances)  of  the  intense 
conviction  my  husband  had  of  the  truth  and  importance  of 
those  principles  for  which,  in  the  providence  of  God,  he  was 
made  to  act  and  suffer  a  more  conspicuous  part  than  his  re- 
tiring nature  would  otherwise  have  allowed  him  to  do. 

"  In  the  Order  of  Banishment,  he  was  given  ten  days  to  make 
his  arrangements  to  leave  the  State.  After  consulting  with  his 
excellent  Session,  and  a  tew  wise  friends,  he  determined  to  go 
to  Washington,  and  appeal  in  person  to  Mr.  Lincoln.  In 
order  to  get  such  an  interview  he  must  needs  have  some  one 
to  introduce  him  who  could  get  access  to  the  President  at  once, 
since  his  time  was  short. 

"  Attorney-General  Bates  had  always  been  a  warm  personal 
friend,  and,  deciding  to  appeal  through  him,  he  went  down  the 
evening  before  he  was  to  start,  accompanied  by  his  friend,  Mr. 
J.  B.  Alexander,  to  the  house  of  Gov.  Gamble,  brother-in-law 


l6o  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B,    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

to  Mr.  Bates,  to  get  the  Attorney-General's  address.  He  got 
it  and  was  about  to  leave  when  the  Governor  said,  '  Wait,  and 
I  will  give  you  a  letter  to  Mr.  Bates.'  He  took  it  and 
thanked  the  Governor.  When  he  reaclT£d  home,  however, 
he  talked  over  the  contents  of  the  letter  with  Mr.  Alexander 
and  Mr.  D.  K.  Ferguson,  and  was  greatly  troubled ;  for  in  it  the 
Governor  took  the  ground  (and  on  this  ground  simply  asked  for 
my  husband's  release)  that  he  knew  Dr.  McPheeters  not  only 
to  be  loyal,  but  a  man  of  perfect  integrity  and  faithfulness  in  all 
obhgations.  My  husband  argued  thus:  'Should  I  go  to 
Washington  and  present  this  letter  I  shall  obtain  my  release  at 
once,  without  opening  my  mouth,  but  I  shall  then  give  up  the 
principles  for  which  I  have  been  contending,  and  the  maintain- 
ing of  which  has  been  the  occasion  of  my  pulpit  being  taken 
from  me.  Should  I,  however,  decline  to  present  it  when  I  get 
to  Washington,  and  say  nothing  about  it,  then,  too,  should  a 
release  be  obtained,  Gov.  Gamble  will  be  under  a  false  im- 
pression. 

" '  No,  I  will  defer  my  start  for  the  National  Capital  till  to- 
morrow, though  my  tickets  are  secured.  I  will  take  the  letter 
back  in  the  morning  and  run  the  risk  of  losing  the  Governor's 
friendship,  much  as  I  need  all  my  friends  now.  I'll  thank 
him  for  his  kindness.'  Having  resolved,  he  waited,  without 
sleeping  and  in  great  excitement,  until  the  omnibus  came 
at  two  o'clock  a.  m.  He  called  the  driver  and  engaged 
a  seat  for  the  following  day.  As  early  in  the  morning  as  prac- 
ticable my  husband  went  to  the  Governor's  office  and  asked 
to  see  him.  He  handed  him  his  kind  letter  and  thanked  him 
for  it,  but  told  him  that  it  was  not  for  his  personal  release  that 
he  was  going  to  Washington,  but  that  he  might  appeal  to  Mr. 
Lincoln  against  the  authority  of  the  military  to  control  the 
Church,  or  to  dictate  to  its  ministers  what  they  should  teach 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  i6i 

from  its  pulpit.  The  Governor  looked  at  him  in  silence  for  a 
few  moments,  and  then  exclaimed,  '  Do  you  think  that  you 
will  be  able  to  make  Lincoln  see  that  ? '  He  replied,  '  I 
don't  know,  but  I  am  going  to  Washmgton  to  try.'  The 
Governor's  reply  -was,  '  Go,  and  God  be  with  you.'  He 
went,  and  the  result  you  know." 

Here,  then,  was  an  opportunity  for  the  man,  ?slcPheeters,  to 
escape  from  the  hardships  inseparable  from  military  banish- 
ment. Only  allow  the  contest  to  become  an  affair  of  "  private 
interpretation,"  and  let  influential  friends  plead  the  virtues  of 
the  persecuted,  and  in  a  few  days  peace  and  liberty  shall  be 
restored.  But  this  noble  witness  for  the  truth  responds.  No. 
"I  am  nothing;  the  truth  and  my  INIaster's  honor — f/iese  are 
everything."  Nor  were  these  the  words  of  a  fanatic.  For, 
says  Dr.  McPheeters  again,  "  It  is  true  enough  that  the  servants 
of  Christ  should  be  willing  not  only  to  go  into  exile,  but  to  the 
stake  for  His  truth.  But  it  is  equally  true  that  those  who  have 
grace  enough  to  be  martyrs  should  have  sense  enough  not  to 
court  martyrdom  upon  any  but  a  fair  issue.  Even  a  man  with 
the  spirit  of  a  martyr  might  wish  to  know  before  matters  went 
to  extremes  if  those  at  whose  hands  he  was  to  suffer  were  act- 
ing under  a  totally  wrong  impression,  and  if  he  would  have  an 
opportunity  of  explaining  his  case  in  his  own  way,  and  dying, 
if  die  he  must,  for  the  Lord's  truth,  and  not  for  some  man's 
falsehood.  And,  beside  all  that,  the  call  to  martyrdom  should 
be  a  call  from  Christ  and  not  from  those  of  v/hom  there  was 
good  reason  to  believe  that  they  were  not  uttering  His  voice 
nor  the  voice  of  His  people." 

In  reference  to  the  Order  of  Banishment  an  influential  Nor- 
thern journal  of  that  date  says : 

The  case  of  Dr.  McPheeters  reveals  not  only  shameless  treatment  of 
that  devoted  minister,  but  also  fearful  insult  of  the  "  Great  King,"  and  an 
II 


1 62  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

ignominious  betrayal  of  the  purity  of  His  Bride — the  Church.  In  Mis- 
souri General  Rosecrans  did  not  allow  any  religious  bodies,  except  the 
Romanists,  to  assemble  until  they  had  qualified  themselves  for  transacting 
the  business  of  the  Church  by  obeying  his  orders — by  taking  an  oath. 
George  P.  Strong,  an  Elder,  and  one  Rev.  J.  Jermain  Porter  prevailed  on 
the  Provost-Marshal-General  of  Missouri  to  send  a  mihtary  officer  to  the 
Presbytery  of  St.  Louis  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  any  minister  or 
Elder  from  sitting  in  that  court  of  Jesus  Christ  unless  additionally  quaHfied 
by  having-  taken  Rosecrans'  oath.  And  these  same  men,  •  Strong  and 
Porter,  obtained  from  the  Provost  the  promise  that  he  -would  arrest  any 
member  of  the  Presbytery  who  should  move  to  lay  political  resolutions  on 
the  table.  One  Colonel  Livingston,  in  command  at  Batesville,  Arkansas, 
drew  up  and  furnished  to  the  ministers  in  that  region  a  form  of  prayer 
which  he  commanded  them  **to  use  or  they  must  cease  to  preach."  *'  It  is 
well  to  remember,"  says  the  New  York  Jouj-nal  of  Cofnmerce  of  that  date, 
*'that  the  policy  of  the  administration  party  has  been  to  compel  prayer  for 
specific  results,  and  to  denounce  as  traitors  aU  who  refuse  to  pray  for  bles- 
sings on  the  peculiar  policy  of  the  President.  Prayer  has  been  forced  at 
the  point  of  the  bayonet.  The  words  are  literally  true.  The  party  in 
power  has  steadily  insisted  that  the  clergy  should  pray  for  the  success  of 
abolition  schemes.  Clergymen  have  been  subjected  to  military  seizure 
when  they  .decUned  to  pray  for  blessings  on  the  peculiar  'means  in  favor 
with  the  abohtionists.'  Soldiers  have  been  detailed  to  churches  to  see  that 
the  prayers  were  properly  worded.  The  priest  has  been  arrested  at  the 
altar  and  taken  away  to  prison  for  omitting  a  particular  form  of  prayer. 
The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  not  taken  by  violence  of  this  sort." 

But,did  the  Northern  General  Assembly  ever  adopt  Erastian 
views  ?  Did  her  deliverances  subordinate  in  any  degree  the 
Headship  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  authority  of  Caesar  ?  Let  the 
appeal  be  made  to  history.  The  Northern  Assembly,  at  its 
Sessions  in  Philadelphia,  in  1861,  by  a  vote  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty-four  to  sixty-six,  adopted  what  is  known  as  "The 
Spring  Resolutions."     The  second  resolution  reads  as  follows  : 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly,  in  the  spirit  of  that  Christian 
patriotism  which  the  Scriptures  enjoin,  and  which  has  always  characterized 
this  Church,  do  hereby  acknowledge  and  declare  our  obligation  to  promote 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  1 63 

and  perpetuate,  so  far  as  in  us  lies,  the  integrity  of  these  United  States, 
and  to  strengthen,  uphold  and  encourage  the  Federal  Government  in  the 
exercise  of  all  its  functions,  under  our  noble  Constitution ;  and  to  this  Con- 
stitution, in  all  its  provisions,  requirements  and  principles,  we  profess  our 
imabated  loyalty.  And  to  avoid  all  misconception,  the  Assembly  declares 
that  by  the  term  Federal  Government,  as  here  used,  is  not  meant  any  par- 
ticular Administration,  or  the  pecuhar  opinions  of  any  particular  party,  but 
that  Central  Administration  which,  being  at  any  time  appointed  and  inau- 
gurated according  to  the  forms  prescribed  in  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States,  is  the  visible  representative  of  our  national  existence. 

Thus  it  will  be  perceived  that  a  court  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
undertakes  to  settle  authoritatively,  by  a  single  resolution,  a 
great  political  question,  which  had  divided  the  minds  of  eminent 
statesmen.  North  and  South,  since  the  very  foundation  of  the 
Government.  Were  there  any  foreshadowings  of  Erastianism 
here  ?  Dr.  Charles  Hodge  and  fifty-seven  others  thought  so, 
and,  accordingly,  entered  theijr  solemn  protest : 

We,  the  undersigned,  respectfully  protest  against  the  action  of  the 
General  Assembly  .  .  .  because  we  deny  the  right  of  the 
General  Assembly  to  decide  the  political  question,  to  what  Government  the 
allegiance  of  Presbyterians,  as  citizens,  is  due,  and  its  right  to  make  that 
decision  a  condition  of  membership  in  our  Church.  That  the  paper  adopted 
by  the  Assembly  does  decide  the  political  question  just  stated,  in  our  judg- 
ment, is  undeniable.  It  not  only  asserts  the  loyalty  of  this  body  to  the 
Constitution  and  the  Union,  but  it  promises,  in  the  name  of  all  the  Churches 
and  ministers  whom  it  represents,  to  do  all  that  in  them  lies  to  strengthen, 
uphold  and  encourage  the  Federal  Government. 

It  is,  however,  a  notorious  fact,  that  many  of  our  ministers  and  mem- 
bers conscientiously  believe  that  the  allegiance  of  the  citizens  of  this  country 
is  primarily  due  to  the  States  to  which  they  respectively  belong ;  and,  there- 
fore, that  whenever  any  State  renounces  its  connection  with  the  United 
States,  and  its  allegiance  to  the  Constitution,  the  citizens  of  that  State  are 
bound,  by  the  laws  of  God,  to  continue  loyal  to  their  State  and  obedient 
to  its  laws.  The  paper  adopted  by  the  Assembly  virtually  declares,  on  the 
other  hand,  that  the  allegiance  of  citizens  is  due  to  the  United  States,  any 
thing  in  the  Constitution,  ordinances  or  laws  of  the  several  States  to  the 


164  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.   D. 

contrary   notwithstanding.        .         .         .         .         .         It  is  the  allegiance 

of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church  to  the  Constitution  and  the  Federal 
Government  which  this  paper  is  intended  to  profess  and  proclaim.  It  does, 
therefore,  of  necessity,  decide  the  political  question  which  agitates  the 
country.  This  is  a  matter  clearly  beyond  the  jurisdiction  of  this  House. 
The  General  Assembly,  in  thus  deciding  a  poli- 
tical question,  and  in  making  that  decision  practically  a  condition  of  mem- 
bership of  the  Church,  has,  in  our  judgment,  violated  the  Constitution  of 
the  Church  and  usurped  the  prerogative  of  its  Divine  Master. 

The  action  of  the  Assembl}'-  of  1862  has  already  been  noticed 
in  part.  It  was  in  that  Assembly  that  Dr.  R.  J.  Breckinridge 
openly  charged  Dr.  McPheeters  with  disloyalty,  and  sent  forth 
to  the  country  a  paper  remarkable,  most  of  all,  for  its  marvelous 
fertility  of  denunciatory  epithet  hurled  against  the  "  Christian 
people  throughout  all  the  revolted  States."  Messrs.  A.  H.  Du- 
mont  and  B.  R.  Allen  protest,  as  follows : 

While  assenting  to  all  the  principles  asserted  in  this  paper,  dissent  from 
what  they  solemnly  and  conscientiously  believe ,  that  in  this  deliverance  the 
Assembly  has  contravened  the  31st  Article,  4th  section,  of  the  Constitution 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  its  spirit  and  in  its  words." 

Dr.  Stuart  Robinson,  Dr.  S.  B.  McPheeters  and  J.  S.  Vre- 

denburg  protest 

That  in  this  paper — solemnly  speaking  in  the  name  of  Christ  and  by 
the  authority  given  to  the  Spiritual  Courts — as  it  seems  to  us,  sundry  propo- 
sitions concerning  civil  matters  are  handled  and  concluded,  directly  or  indi- 
rectly, that  are  forbidden  to  the  ecclesiastical  courts,  in  chapter  31,  section  4, 
of  the  Confession  of  Faith.  We  understand  this  article  of  the  creed  to  be 
not  merely  an  advice  of  what  is  expedient,  but  a  brief  summing  up  of  the 

fundamental  truths  of   Presbyterianism Among  these 

truths  are  the  propositions  that  there  are  two  distinct  and  complete  govern- 
ments divinely  appointed  for  man  —  one,  the  civil  government,  from  the 
Lord  Christ,  as  the  King  of  nations ;  and  the  other,  the  ecclesiastical  gov- 
ernment, from  the  Lord  Christ,  as  King  of  saints.  That  these  two  juris- 
dictions, though  to  some  extent  over  the  same  subjects,  are  ordained  of 
Christ  to  be  kept  distinct That  as  the  power  of  the  sword, 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  1 65 

committed  to  the  civil  government,  may  not  be  used  to  do  the  spiritual  work 
of  the  Church,  so,  on  the  other  hand,  the  power  of  the  keys,  and  the  agen- 
cies and  ordinances  of  the  Church  government  may  not  be  prostituted  to 

the  promotion  of  merely  secular  and  political  purposes On 

these  general  considerations  we  protest  against  certain  assumptions,  which 
seem  to  us  to  be  necessarily  implied  in  parts  of  this  paper,  of  a  right  in  the 
Assembly  to  handle  and  conclude  certain  questions  of  fact  in  the  civil  and 
pohtical  history  of  the  country;  to  pronounce  upon  the  question  of  the  duty 
of  the  National  Government  in  reference  to  its  civil  and  military  policy ;  and 
to  declare  "loyalty"  to  be,  in  common  with  "orthodoxy  and  piety,"  an 
attribute  of  the  Church  and  its  courts.  This  use  of  the  authority  of  the 
spiritual  government  to  determine  these  questions  of  political  history  is  con- 
trary to  Scripture,  rendering  unto  Coesar  the  things  that  are  God's ;  and 
the  assumption  of  authority  to  pronounce  upon  the  duty  of  the  National 
Government,  is  equally  contrary  to  the  Scripture  that  enjoins  on  the  Church 
not  dictation  to,  but  "subjection  to  the  powers  that  be." 

Rev.  A.  P.  Forman  and  four  others  present  an  able  protest, 
in  which,  among  other  things  admirably  put,  they  say : 

We  deny  the  right  of  the  Assembly,  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of 
the  Lord  Christ,  to  decide  any  questions  or  to  utter,  as  truth,  any  things  not 
contained  in  the  Bible.  We  are  limited,  as  a  Church  Court,  in  our  authori- 
tative teachings,  by  the  Scriptures.  Now,  the  paper  adopted  seems  to 
assume  that  the  primary  allegiance  of  the  citizen  belongs  to  the  National 
Government.  Whatever  we  may  believe  about  this  as  a  political  dogma,  yet 
it  is  a  question  which  can  not  be  settled  by  an  appeal  to  the  Scriptures,  and 
must  depend  on  an  interpretation  of  a  human  instrument.  So  the  statement 
of  certain  political  facts  depends  on  evidence  neither  in  the  Scriptures  nor  in 
documents  in  the  possession  of  this  Assembly.  Furthermore,  the  counsel  of 
this  paper,  as  to  the  duty  of  the  Government  to  preserve,  at  whatever  cost, 
the  National  Union,  and  to  crush  force  by  force,  is  counsel  which  we,  as  a 
Church  Court,  are  not  authorized,  either  by  the  Bible  or  by  special  inspira- 
tion, in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  Christ,  to  give 

The  idea  seems  to  underlie  the  paper  adopted,  that  the  Church  owes 
allegiance  to  the  State,  for  it  speaks  of  "loyal  Presbyteries  and  Synods," 
"loyal  Church,"  etc.  The  citizen  ov/es  allegiance  to  the  State  and  is  bound 
to  uphold  the  civil  government ;  but  the  Church,  as  such,  owes  allegiance 


1 66  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

only  to  the  Lord  Jesus  ;   His  kingdom  is  the  only  kingdom  she  is  bound  to 
uphold,  hence  she  can  be  loyal  only  to  her  own  King. 

The  Northern  Assembly  met,  in  1863,  at  Peoria,  IlHnois.  It 
held  its  sessions  beneath  the  folds  of  the  national  banner.  This 
judicatory  also  proceeded  to  adopt  a  "  deliverance  "  upon  the 
'•'  state  of  the  country."     It  reads  thus  : 

It  is  well  known,  on  the  one  hand,  that  the  General  Assembly  has  ever 
been  reluctant  to  repeat  its  testimonies  upon  important  matters  of  public  in- 
terest ;  but  having  given  utterance  to  carefully  considered  words,  is  content 
to  abide  calmly  by  its  recorded  deliverances.  Nothing  that  this  Assembly 
can  say  can  more  fully  express  the  wickedness  of  the  rebellion  that  has  cost 
so  much  blood  and  treasure ;  can  declare  in  plainer  terms  the  guilt,  before 
God  and  man,  of  those  who  have  inaugurated  or  maintained  or  counten- 
anced, for  so  little  cause,  this  fratricidal  strife ;  or  can  more  impressively 
urge  the  solemn  duty  of  the  government  to  the  lawful  exercise  of  its  au- 
thority ;  and  of  the  people,  each  in  his  several  place,  to  uphold  the  civil 
authorities,  to  the  end  that  law  and  order  may  again  reign  throughout  this 
entire  nation — than  these  things  have  already  been  done  by  previous  Assem- 
blies. ......... 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  it  may  be  well  for  this  General  Assembly  to  re- 
affirm, as  it  now  solemnly  does,  the  great  principles  to  which  utterance  has 
already  been  given.  We  do  this  the  more  readily  because  our  beloved 
Church  may  be  thus  understood  to  take  her  dehberate  and  well  chosen 
stand,  free  from  all  imputations  of  haste  or  excitement 

And  because  there  are  those  among  us  who  have  scruples  touching  the 
propriety  of  any  deliverance  of  a  Church  court  respecting  civil  matters,  this 
Assembly  would  add,  that  all  strifes  of  party  politics  should  indeed  be  ban- 
ished from  our  Ecclesiastical  Assemblies  and  from  our  pulpits  ;  that  Chris- 
tian people  should  earnestly  guard  against  promoting  partisan  divisions :  and 
that  the  difficulty  of  accurately  deciding,  in  some  cases,  what  are  general 
and  what  party  principles,  should  make  us  careful  in  our  judgment;  but 
that  our  duty  is  none  the  less  imperative  to  uphold  the  constituted  authori- 
ties, because  minor  delicate  questions  may  possibly  be  involved.  Rather, 
the  sphere  of  the  Church  is  wider  and  more  searching  touching  matters  of 
great  public  interest  than  the  sphere  of  the  civil  magistrate,  in  this  im- 
portant respect — that  the  civil  authorities  can  take  cognizance  only  of  overt 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  167 

acts,  while  the  law  of  which  the  Church  of  God  is  the  interpreter  searches 
the  heart  and  makes  every  man  subject  to  the  civil  authority  for  conscience 

sake,   &c Officers  may  not  always 

command  a  citizen's  confidence;  measures  may  by  him  be  deemed  unwise; 
earnest,  lawful  efforts  may  be  made  for  changes  he  may  think  desirable ; 
but  no  causes  now  exist  to  vindicate  the  disloyalty  of  American  citizens 
toward  the  United  States  Government. 

The  General  Assembly  would  not  withhold  from  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  that  expression  of  cordial  sympathy  which  a  loyal  people 
should  offer.     We  beheve  that  God  has  afforded  us  ample  resources  to  sup- 
press this  rebelHon,  &c.         .....         And  this  Assembly 

is  ready  to  declare  our  unalterable  attachment  and  adherence  to  the  Union 
established  by  our  fathers,  and  our  unqualified  condemnation  of  the  rebel- 
lion ;  to  proclaim  to  the  world,  the  United  States,  one  and  undivided,  as 
our  country ;  the  lawfully  chosen  rulers  of  the  land,  our  rulers ;  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States,  our  cinl  government ;  and  its  honored  flag, 
oar  flag. 


l68  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 


CHAPTEE    X. 

STATEMENT    OF    DOCTRINES    AND    PRINCIPLES. 

In  opposition  to  Erastian  views,  Dr.  McPheeters  held  to  the 
unity,  purity,  spirituahty  and  independence  of  the  Church  of 
God.  He  was  wilUng  to  suffer  and,  if  need  be,  to  die  in  de- 
fense of  the  crown  rights  of  Jesus  Christ.  At  the  memorable 
discussion  between  Dr.  S.  R.  Wilson  and  Dr.  R.  J.  Breckin- 
ridge, on  the  floor  of  the  Kentucky  Synod,  Dr.  McPheeters 
was  present,  and  he  frequently  declared  that  the  argument 
of  the  former  was  unanswerable — that  in  the  debate  he 
gained  a  signal  victory  over  his  opponent.  Dr.  Wilson  also 
asserts  that  in  the  conflict  of  those  days  he  was  greatly  com- 
forted and  encouraged  by  the  counsels  and  approbation  of 
the  Rev.  Dr.  jMcPheeters.  And  it  will  be  remembered  that 
the  statements  made  by  Dr.  Wilson  in  the  hearing  of  that  Synod 
had  already  been  embodied  in  the  "  Declaration  and  Testi- 
mony," of  which  Dr.  McPheeters  was  a  signer. 

Still  later,  a  letter  from  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  was  for- 
warded to  the  General  Assembly  which  met  in  Nashville  on 
the  2ist  of  November,  1867.  This  communication  was  pre- 
pared by  a  committee  whose  business  it  was  to  "  report  a  care- 
fully considered  statement  of  the  doctrines  and  principles  for 
which  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  been  contending  in 
the  controversies  with  the  General  Assembly  North  during 
seven  years  past — particularly  the  principles  maintained  by  this 
Synod  in  the  interpretation  of  our  standards  touching  the  non- 
pohtical  nature  and  functions  ot  the  Church,  the  limitations  of 
the  powers  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  the  incompetency  of 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  169 

any  court  of  the  Church  to  add  to  or  subtract  from  the  terms 
of  ministerial  and  Christian  communion — with  a  view  to  lay 
the  same  before  the  General  Assembly  to  be  holden  in  Nash- 
ville in  November,  as  the  basis  of  a  covenant  upon  which  this 
Synod  may  form  an  organic  union  with  that  body." 

The  manuscript  of  this  letter,  paragraph  by  paragraph,  passed 
under  the  critical  inspection  of  Dr.  McPheeters,  and  he  en- 
dorsed most  heartily  every  sentiment  which  it  contains.  It  will, 
therefore,  be  well  to  consider  for  a  moment  the  statement  of 
doctrines  and  principles  for  which  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  and 
its  Presbyteries  have  contended  in  the  controversies  with  the 
General  Assembly,  as  adopted  by  the  Synod  October  1 1, 1867  : 

II.  Still  further,  to  the  end  that  the  testimony  of  this  Synod  and  its  Pres- 
byteries may  be  more  clearly  understood,  and  to  guard  it  from  the  perversions 
and  misrepresentations  of  their  adversaries,  it  is  hereby  declared,  once  for 
all,  that  in  their  various  protests  and  testimonies  against  the  acts  and  deliv- 
erances of  Assembly  just  recited,  the  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  of  Kentucky 
have  not  meant,  "as  they  be  slanderously  reported,"  to  deny  any  of  the 
following  propositions  : 

Either,  First — To  deny  that  civil  government  is  the  ordinance  of  God, 
and  the  magistrate  God's  minister,  in  the  natural  order,  as  are  the  Church 
officers,  in  the  spiritual  order,  for  the  protection  of  the  good  and  the  re- 
pressing of  the  lawless  and  wicked. 

Or,  Second — To  deny  that  the  Church  may  not  properly  enjoin  obedience 
in  the  discharge  of  their  duties,  as  citizens  and  subjects,  to  the  civil  govern- 
ment within  its  sphere. 

Or,  Third — To  deny  that  the  State,  as  a  natural  institute,  should  acknowl- 
edge *'  God  the  King  and  Ruler,"  as  he  makes  himself  known  to  the  State 
in  the  natural  order,  and  to  man  as  his  creature,  "  showing  the  work  of  the 
law  written  in  his  heart,  his  conscience  also  bearing  witness,  and  who  may 
clearly  see  His  eternal  power  and  Godhead  by  the  things  that  are  made." 

Or,  Fourth — That  the  State  may  enforce  the  law  of  God  as  made  kno^vn 
in  the  natural  order,  through  the  impressions  of  man's  moral  nature,  and 
the  ethical  truths  clearly  deducible  from  the  acknowledged  existence  of 
God  the  Creator,  and  the  relations  to  him  of  man,  the  creature,  whom  "the 


lyo  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

light  of  nature  showeth  that  there  is  a  God  who  hath  Lordship  and  Sover- 
eignty over  all." 

Or,  Fifth — That  the  Church  should  have  cognizance  of  crimes  against  the 
law  of  the  State,  as  they  may  be  sins  against  God,  which  affect,  spiritually, 
the  subjects  of  her  spiritual  discipHne ;  the  Church  having  in  view  to  restore 
such  a  one  in  the  spirit  of  meekness. 

Or,  Sixth — To  deny  that  the  Church  may  properly  appeal  to  the  civil 
courts,  whose  business  it  is  to  protect  life,  liberty  and  property,  for  the 
protection,  against  the  lawless  and  unjust,  of  property  given  in  trust  to  her, 
as  they  protect  any  other  property;  or  that  the  Church  should  protest 
against  any  intrusion  of  the  civil  government  into  the  sphere  of  the  spirit- 
ual, which  has  been  assigned  by  her  Head  to  her  jurisdiction. 

Neither,  again,  in  respect  of  the  interpretation  of  the  Constitution  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  have  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  intended  to 
deny  any  of  the  following  propositions  : 

Either,  First — To  deny  that  the  power  of  the  Supreme  Court,  represent- 
ing the  power  of  the  whole  Church,  is,  within  the  limit  of  Christ's  laws, 
over  the  power  of  the  lower  courts  representing  a  part. 

Or,  Second — To  deny  that  individual  members  and  lower  courts  should 
*' receive  with  reverence  and  submission"  the  decrees  and  determinations 
of  superior  councils,  *'■  if  consonant  to  the  Word  of  God,^^  "not  only  for 
their  agreement  with  the  Word,  but  also  for  the  power  whereby  they  are 
made,  as  being  an  ordinance  of  God  appointed  thereunto  in  His  Word." 

Or,  Third — To  deny  that  the  power  of  the  General  Assembly,  as  the 
power  of  all  other  courts  and  office-bearers,  is  primarily  from  Jesus  Christ, 
the  Head  of  the  Church,  and  only  in  a  secondary  sense  derived  from  the 
Constitution ;  and  that  only  as  it  is  a  delegated  body  are  the  Presbyteries 
the  fountain  of  power  to  the  General  Assembly. 

Neither,  again,  in  respect  of  the  questions  which  have  given  occasion  for 
the  foregoing  acts  and  utterances  of  the  General  Assembly,  has  this  Synod 
and  its  Presbyteries  felt  called  upon  either  to  affirm  or  deny  any  one  of  the 
following  propositions : 

Either,  First — That  the  political  acts  of  the  Southern  States  were  right, 
or  the  contrary. 

Or,  Second — That  the  course  of  the  Federal  Government  was  just,  wise 
and  magnanimous,  or  the  contrary. 

Or,  Third — That  the  political  theory  of  State  Rights  is  the  true  theory  of 
the  Federal  Constitution,  or  the  contrary. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  171 

Or,  Fourth — That  the  institution  of  slavery  was  in  accordance  with  natu- 
ral justice,  and  in  itself  desirable,  or  the  contrary. 

III.  But,  as  against  certain  errors  involved  in  the  above  recited  acts  and 
deliverances  of  the  General  Assembly- — in  part,  errors  of  Doctrine  concern- 
ing the  nature  and  functions  of  the  Church,  as  related  to  Christ,  her  Law- 
giver and  King,  on  the  one  hand,  and  to  the  civil  government,  on  the  other; 
in  part,  errors  of  interpretation  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States ;  in  part,  acts  of  usurpation  and  claims  of  pre- 
rogatives dangerous  to  the  liberty  of  the  Church  and  liberty  of  conscience — 
as  against  these  errors  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  and  its  Presbyteries  have 
affirmed,  and  now  desire  to  have  solemnly  recorded,  as  part  of  the  accepted 
historical  interpretations  of  the  doctrine  and  order  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  the  following  statements,  substantially,  concerning  the  doctrine  of 
the  Church  of  God  and  the  constitutional  principles  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

As  against  what  they  deem  to  be  latitudinarian,  or  at  least  inadequate 
views  of  the  nature  of  Church  power,  which  rests  directly  upon  the  doctrine 
that  Jesus  Christ  is  now  actually  ruling  in  His  visible  Church,  and  acting 
through  His  appointed  office-bearers,  they  have  maintained: 

I.  CONCERNING  THE  DOCTRINE  OF  THE  KINGSHIP  OF  CHPaST,  AND  THE 
MANNER  IN  WHICH  CHRIST  EXECUTETH  THE  OFFICE  OF  A  KING  IN  HIS 
VISIBLE  CHURCH  : 

That  our  standards  declare  in  accordance  with  the  Word  of  God  : 

"Christ  executeth  the  office  of  a  king  in  calling  out  of  the  world  a  people 
to  Himself  and  giving  them  officers,  laws  and  censures  by  which  He  visibly 
GOVERNS  THEM."     [Larger  Catechism,  Q.  45.] 

And  that  this  very  clear  and  explicit  statement  of  they«;r  divino  character 
of  all  that  essentially  pertains  to  the  government  and  discipline  of  the 
Church  is  the  true  key  to  all  the  more  detailed  statements  of  our  standards 
concerning  Church  government,  viz.  : 

That  "the  Lord  Jesus,  as  King  and  Head  of  His  Church,  hath  therein 
appointed  a  government  distinct  from  the  civil  magistrate."  And  "to  these 
officers  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  are  committed."     [Conf.  c.  xxx.  ] 

That  * '  it  belongeth  to  the  overseers  and  other  rulers  of  the  particular 
churches,  by  virtue  of  their  office  and  the  power  which  Christ  hath  given 
them,  for  edification,  not  for  destruction,  to  appoint  such  assemblies  and  to 


172  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

convene  together  in  them. "  That  of  these  assemblies  "the  decrees  and 
determinations,  if  consonant  to  the  Word  of  God,  are  to  be  received  with 
reverence  and  submission — not  only  for  their  agreement  with  the  Word,  but 
also  for  the  power  whereby  they  are  made,  as  being  an  ordinance  of  God, 
appointed  thereto."     [Conf.  chap.  xxxi.  I,  2.] 

Which  several  statements,  substantially,  are  more  summarily  presented 
in  the  ancient  Confession  of  the  Church  in  these  and  like  statements  : 

"This  power  ecclesiastical  is  an  authority  granted  by  God  the  Father, 
through  the  Mediator  Jesus  Christ,  to  His  Church,  gathered  and  having  its 
ground  in  the  Word  of  God. 

"  The  policy  of  the  Church  flowing  from  this  power  is  an  order  or  form 
of  spiritual  government  which  is  exercised  by  the  members  appointed 
thereto  by  the  Word  of  God. " 

In  the  light  of  these  doctrinal  statements,  and  as  necessary  inferences  from 
them,  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  maintained  : 

That  the  doctrine  of  the  kingly  office  of  Christ  is  no  abstract  theory  of 
theology,  but  of  the  very  first  practical  importance  in  the  Gospel  system, 
since  to  His  office  as  king  His  prophetic  and  priestly  offices  stand  related 
as  means  to  an  end.  He  is  a  teaching  prophet  and  an  atoning  priest  that 
He  may  be  a  reigning  king.  And  Plis  kingly  office  stands  related  to  the 
government  and  discipline  of  the  Church  as  His  prophetic  and  priestly 
offices  to  the  ordinances  of  the  Word  and  sacraments.  While,  indeed,  the 
acceptance  of  the  doctrine  of  His  kingly  offices  is  not  essential  to  the  faith 
that  is  unto  salvation  in  the  sense  in  which  the  acceptance  of  the  doctrine  of 
His  priestly  office  as  exhibiting  our  justifying  righteousness  is  essential, 
yet  the  obligation  to  present  truly  the  doctrines  of  Christ's  kingly  office  in 
the  government  and  discipline  of  the  Church  to  the  faith  of  his  people  is 
of  like  force  with  the  obhgation  to  present  truly  the  doctrine  of  His  pro- 
phetic and  priestly  offices  in  the  Word  and  sacraments. 

That,  tlierefore,  the  avoidance  of  all  admixture  of  human  maxims,  policies 
and  expediences  in  the  administration  of  the  government  and  discipline  of 
the  Church  is  a  duty  of  the  same  obligation  as  to  avoid  the  admixture  of 
human  philosophies  and  theories  with  the  dispensation  of  the  Word,  or  of 
human  fancies  with  the  dispensation  of  the  sacraments. 

That  it  is,  therefore,  not  only  incompetent  to  the  Church  courts,  but  posi- 
tively a  perversion  of  the  truth,  that  they  shall  assume  to  consider  and  de- 
termine any  other  questions  than  those  which  relate  to  the  government, 
order  and  disciphne  of  Christ's  visible  kingdom,  or  to  determine  these  on 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  173 

grounds  aside  from  the  Word  of  God ;  or  to  speak  in  Christ's  name  and  by 
His  authority  otherwise  than  to  the  faith  and  conscience  of  His  people 
concerning  things  to  be  obeyed  as  enjoined  by  the  law  of  Christ.  Since, 
according  to  our  standards,  even  though  "there  are  some  circumstances 
concerning  the  worship  of  God  and  government  of  the  Church  common  to 
human  actions  and  societies,  which  are  to  be  ordered  by  the  light  of  nature 
and  Christian  prudence,"  yet  even  these  "must  be  ordered  according  to 
the  general  rules  of  the  Word  which  are  always  to  be  observed y  [  Conf.  i.  6.  ] 
That,  therefore,  the  attempt  on  the  part  of  tribunals  of  the  Church  to 
exercise  the  authority  thus  delegated  to  them  by  Christ,  in  determining 
questions  merely  secular,  concerning  which  His  Word  makes  no  such  de-' 
termination,  is  "to  usurp  the  prerogatives  of  the  Church's  Divine  Master," 
and  practically  to  obscure  to  the  faith  of  His  people  the  doctrine  of  His 
kingly  .office,  just  as  the  attempt  to  determine  by  the  spiritual  authority 
questions  of  Christian  faith  and  practice  on  the  ground  of  human  opinions 
and  theories  of  human  expediences  is  practically  to  obscure  to  the  faith  of 
His  people  Christ's  prophetic  office.  For,  precisely  in  harmony  with  their 
view  of  His  kingly  office  in  the  Church,  our  standards  declare:  "Christ 
executeth  the  office  of  a  prophet  in  revealing  to  the  Church  in  all  ages  by 
His  Spirit  and  Word  in  divers  ways  of  administration  the  whole  will  of  God 
in  all  things  concerning  their  edification  and  salvation. "     [Large  Cat.  Q.  43.  ] 

In  full  accordance  with  these  views  of  the  doctrines  of  Christ's  kingly 
office  in  His  Church,  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  maintained : 

2.  Concerning  the  origin,  nature  and  functions  of  Church 
Government  as  contrasted  with  and  related  to  the  Civil 
Government. 

That,  according  to  our  standards,  "the  visible  Church  consists  of  all 
those  throughout  the  world  that  profess  the  true  religion,  together  with 
their  children,  and  is  the  Kingdom  of  the  Lord  fesns  Christ,  the  house  and 
family  of  God,  out  of  which  there  is  no  ordinary  possibility  of  salvation. 
Unto  this  Catholic  visible  Church  Christ  hath  given  the  ministry,  oracles 
and  ordinances  of  God,  for  the  gathering  and  perfecting  of  the  saints  in  this 
life,  to  the  end  of  the  world,  and  doth  by  His  own  presence  and  Spirit, 
according  to  His  promise,  make  them  effectual  thereunto.  There  is  no 
other  head  of  the  Church  but  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  [Conf.  chap.  xxv.  I, 
2,  6.]     And  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  King  and  Head  of  His  Church,  hath 


174  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

appointed  a  government  in  the  hand  of  Church  officers,  distinct  from  the 
ci\'il  magistrate.  [Conf.  chap.  xxx.  I.]  ''These  Assembhes  ought  not  to 
possess  any  civil  jurisdiction.  Their  power  is  wholly  moral  or  spiritual, 
and  that  only  ministerial  and  declarative."  [Form  of  Gov.  chap.  viii.  2.] 
And  "these  Synods  and  Councils  are  to  handle  or  conclude  nothing  but 
that  which  is  ecclesiastical,  and  are  not  to  intermeddle  with,  civil  affairs 
which  concern  the  Commonwealth."     [Conf.  chap.  xxxi.  4.] 

And  as  it  is  the  Lord  Christ  who,  in  the  execution  of  His  mediatorial 
office  of  King  *'in  calling  out  of  the  world  a  people  to  Himself  and  giving 
them  officers,  laws  and  censures  whereby  He  visibly  governs  them,"  gives 
*the  Church  power ;  so,  on  the  other  hand,  according  to  our  standards ; 

It  is  "  God  as  the  supreme  Lord  and  King  of  the  world,  who  hath 
ordained  civil  magistrates  to  be  under  Him  over  the  people  fbr  His  own 
glory  and  the  pubhc  good,  and  to  this  end  hath  armed  them  with  the  power 
of  the  sword  for  the  defense  and  encouragement  of  them  that  are  good  and 
for  the  punishment  of  evil-doers." 

But  "civil  magistrates  may  not  assume  to  themselves  the  administration 
of  the  Word  and  Sacraments,  or  the  power  of  the  keys  of  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven,  or  in  the  least  interfere  in  matters  of  Faith."  And,  as  the  rule 
for  guidance  in  this  government  is,  primarily,  not  the  revealed  Word,  but 
the  light  of  nature,  so  "infidelity  or  difference  in  rehgion  doth  not  make 
void  the  magistrate's  just  and  legal  authority  nor  free  the  people  from  their 
due  obedience  to  Him."     [Conf.  chap,  xxiii.  3,  4.] 

This  account  of  these  two  separate  ordinances  of  government  for  men,  as 
differing  fundamentally,  in  that  the  one  is  from  Christ  as  Mediatorial  King 
and  Head  of  His  elect  people,  the  other  from  "  God  the  Supreme  King  and 
Ruler  of  the  world:"  and  in  that  the  one  contemplates  men  as  sinners, 
related  to  God  the  Savior ;  the  other,  men  as  creatures,  related  to  God  the 
Creator — is  thus  summarily  expressed  in  the  Ancient  Confession : 

"This  power  and  policy  ecclesiastical  is  different  and  distinct  in  its  own 
nature  from  that  power  and  policy  which  is  called  the  civil  power,  and 
appertains  to  the  civil  government  of  the  Commonwealth. 

"  For  this  power  ecclesiastical  flows  immediately  from  God  and  the  Me- 
diator Jesus  Christ,  and  is  spiritual." 

Furthermore,  as  these  two  governments  thus  differ  in  their  origin,  nature 
and  purpose,  so,  according  to  our  standards,  they  have,  as  already  inti- 
mated, primarily,  a  different  rule  to  guide  their  action.  As  to  the  rule  to 
guide  the  Church,  it  has  already  been  said,  "  Christ  executeth  the  office  of 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  175 

a  prophet  in  revealing  to  the  CJmrcJi  in  all  ages,  by  His  Spirit  and  Word,  in 
divers  ways  of  administration,  the  whole  will  of  God  in  all  that  concerns 
their  edification  and  salvation.     [Larger  Cat.  Q.  43.] 

So,  again,  "God  alone  is  Lord  of  the  conscience,  and  has  left  it  free  from 
the  doctrines  and  commandments  of  men  which  are  in  any  thing  contrary 
to  His  Word,  or  beside  it  in  matters  of  faith  or  worship.  [Conf.  chap. 
XX.  2.] 

So,  again,  "The  Supreme  Judge,  by  which  all  controversies  of  religion 
are  to  be  determined,  and  all  decrees  of  council,  opinions  of  ancient  writers, 
doctrines  of  vien  and  private  opinions  are  to  be  examined,  and  in  whose 
sentence  zue  are  to  rest,  can  be  no  other  than  the  Holy  Spirit  speaking  in 
Scripture.     [Conf.  c.  i.  6.] 

On  the  other  hand,  touching  the  light  which  all  men  have  as  a  rule  to 
guide  in  the  administration  of  civil  government,  our  standards  teach,  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  express  declaration  of  Scripture,  that : 

"  The  light  of  nature  shows  that  there  is  a  God  who  hath  Lordship  and 
Sovereignty  over  all ;  is  good  and  doeth  good  unto  all ;  and  is  therefore  to 
be  feared,  praised,  trusted  in,  and  loved  with  all  the  heart."    [Conf.  xxi.i.] 

**  The  light  of  nature  and  the  works  of  creation  and  Providence  do  so  far 
manifest  the  goodness,  wisdom  and  power  of  God  as  to  leave  men  inexcu- 
sable."    [Conf.  c.  i.  I.] 

"The  Gentiles  having  not  the  law  are  a  law  unto  themselves;  which 
show  the  work  of  the  law  written  in  their  hearts,  their  conscience  also  bear- 
ing witness."  [Rom.  ii.  12-15.  ]  "Because  that  which  may  be  known  of  God 
is  manifest  in  them,  for  God  hath  showed  it  unto  them  [Rom.  i.  19];  so 
that  they  are  without  excuse." 

Some  circumstances  concerning  the  worship  of  God  and  government  of 
the  Church,  coDimon  to  human  actions  and  societies,  are  to  be  oi'dered  by  the 
light  of  natuo'e.     [Conf.  i.  7.] 

"Infidehty  or  difference  in  religion  doth  not  make  void  the  magistrate's 
just  and  legal  authority,  nor  free  the  people  from  their  due  obligations  to 
him. ' '     [  Conf.  xxiii.  4.  ] 

This  difference  in  the  rule  and  the  subject  matter  of  the  two  orders  of 
government,  the  ancient  Confession  expresses  summarily  thus  : 

"Therefore  this  power  and  policie  of  the  Kirk  should  lean  upon  the  Word 
immediately  as  the  only  ground  thereof. 

' '  The  magistrate  commands  external  things  for  external  peace  and  quiet- 
ness  amongst  the  subjects.     The  minister  handles  external  things  only  for 


176  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

conscience  sake."  "  The  magistrate  handles  external  things  only  aitd  ac- 
tions done  before  men,  but  the  spiritual  ruler  both  inward  affections  and  ex- 
ternal actions  m  respect  of  conscietice  by  the  Word  of  God." 

"The  magistrate  claims  and  gets  obedience  by  the  sword  and  other  ex- 
ternal means,  but  the  minister  by  the  spiritual  sword  and  spiritual  means." 

From  these  teachings  of  our  standards  touching  the  fundamental  differ- 
ence— in  origin,  rule  of  guidance,  nature,  functions  and  design — between 
the  spiritual  and  the  temporal  power,  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have 
maintained  as  against  the  assumption  of  the  Church  courts  on  the  one 
hand  to  entertain  and  determine  questions  of  civil  policy,  and  of  the  civil 
government  on  the  other  hand  to  determine  questions  of  worship  and  the 
qualifications  of  members  of  Church  courts  : 

That,  though  both  governments  are  of  Divine  institution — one  imme- 
diately, the  other  mediately — and  both  may  exercise  their  authority  sev- 
erally over  the  same  persons  in  different  capacities,  and  both  have  in  view, 
as  their  end,  the  glory  of  God,  yet  they  move  in  spheres  altogether  extrinsic 
to  each  other. 

That  the  Church  of  God  is  a  supernatural  institute,  immediately  of  su- 
pernatural origin  and  authority,  whereas  the  State  is  a  natural  institute, 
only  mediately  of  Divine  authority,  and  growing  out  of  the  social  constitu- 
tution  for  which  man  was  created  and  fitted. 

That  the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  Church  are  all  in  the  sipcrnatural 
order,  directly  revealed  by  the  Spirit  and  Word  of  Christ  to  His  Kingdom ; 
whereas  the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  State  are  in  the  natural  order, 
fi-amed  and  fashioned  by  the  natural  intelligence  of  men,  as  guided  by  the 
light  of  nature. 

That  the  Church  is  a  supernatural  agency  for  the  spiritual  interests  of 
man  as  immortal,  here  and  hereafter;  whereas,  the  State  is  a  natural 
agency  for  the  promotion  of  man's  temporal  interests  of  hfe,  liberty  and 
property. 

That  the  Church's  Lawgiver  and  Head,  speaking  through  these  ordinances 
and  laws  by  the  men  whom  he  calls,  qualifies  and  commissions,  is  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ;  whereas,  the  head  and  lawgivers  of  the  State  are  men — such 
rulers  as  the  people  clothe  with  authority  to  represent  and  rule  over  them, 
and  who  speak  in  the  name  of  the  people. 

That  the  subject  of  Church  government  is  man  contemplated  as  a  sinner ; 
whereas,  the  subject  of  civil  government  is  man  contemplated  as  a  creature. 

That    the  constituent  elements  of  the  Spiritual  Commonwealth  are  the 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  1 77 

Elect  of  God,  the  families  that  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  whom  Christ 
covenants  to  redeem ;  whereas,  the  constituent  elements  of  the  civil  com- 
monwealth are  the  families  of  men  as  citizens  indiscriminately,  which  it  aims 
to  protect  in  their  rights  by  repressing  the  lawless  and  wicked. 

That  the  efficient  power  of  the  Church  is  the  power  of  the  keys,  the 
ministry  of  the  Word  and  ordinances,  aiming  to  gain  a  voluntary  obedience 
by  moral  suasion ;  whereas,  the  efficient  power  of  the  State  is  the  power  of 
the  sword  to  enforce  a  compulsory  obedience,  having  special  reference  to  the 
repression  of  the  lawless. 

That  the  laAvs  and  ordinances  of  the  Church  deal  with  the  v»'rong  actions 
of  men  as  sins  against  God ;  whereas,  the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  State 
deal  with  the  wrong  actions  of  men  as  misdemeanors  and  crimes  against 
men. 

That  the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  Church  are  in  their  nature  disciplin- 
ary— a  means  of  grace,  and  designed  to  realize  the  idea  of  grace ;  whereas 
the  laws  of  the  State  are  in  their  nature  vindicatory  for  the  suppression  of 
wickedness  by  an  appeal  to  fear,  and  are  designed  to  realize  the  idea  of 
justice. 

That,  therefore,  the  Church  has  manifestly  no  commission  either  to  dis- 
charge any  functions  of  the  State,  or  to  direct,  advise  or  assist  the  State ; 
nor  has  the  Church  light  in  regard  to  the  affairs  of  the  State  which  the  State 
has  not  already ;  nor,  since  her  authority  is  spiritual,  and  resting  on  moral 
suasion  only,  has  it  any  adaptation  to  the  purposes  of  a  government  force. 
Neither  can  the  State  have  any  commission  from  God  to  discharge  the 
functions  of  the  Church,  nor  the  ability  to  do  so,  since,  aside  from  the  fact 
that  its  compulsory  power  is  inapplicable  to  things  of  religion,  even  though 
the  State  may  have  the  advantage  of  the  inspired  Word  of  God  current 
among  its  citizens  to  give  additional  clearness  and  force  to  the  teachings  of 
nature  and  reason,  yet  the  State  has  not  the  special  illumination  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  which  alone  can  interpret  the  Word  for  the  purposes  of  the  Church. 
Nor  is  anything  plainer  from  experience  than  that  the  unconverted  states- 
man, accepting  the  Word  of  God  intellectually  merely,  however  he  may 
thereby  be  made  wiser  as  to  natural  things,  is  not  made  more  competent  to 
legislate  for  the  Church  than  though  he  were  merely  a  refined  and  enlight- 
ened pagan.  Nor  has  anything  more  certainly  tended  to  enfeeble  the 
spiritual  life  of  the  Church  than  the  mistake  of  courting  favor  and  seeking 
the  alliance  of  rulers  and  statesmen,  who  merely  accept  intellectually,  and, 
12 


178  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

therefore,  treat  respectfully,  the  Word  of  Christ  and  His  ordinances,  as 
though  thereby  the  kingdom  of  Christ  can  be  strengthened. 

Hence  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  steadfastly  protested  against 
and  resisted  the  assumption  of  authority  by  the  Church  courts,  to  advise, 
direct  and  assist  the  Civil  Government  in  its  policy  by  the  exercise  of  their 
spiritual  authority,  or  to  interpose  the  power  of  the  spiritual  sword  for 
enforcing  any  theories  of  social  organization,  or  theories  of  labor,  or  poli- 
tical theories,  or  to  direct  men  as  citizens  in  the  choice  of  their  civil  policy. 

And,  on  the  other  hand,  they  have  protested  against  and  resisted  every 
invitation  by  the  Church  courts  to  the  State  to  assume,  and  every  assumption 
by  the  State  to  direct  the  ordinances  of  worship  in  God's  house,  or  to  inter- 
fere with  the  conscientious  convictions  of  men,  so  long  as  those  convictions 
did  not  develop  themselves  in  overt  acts.  For  our  great  civil  "act  estab- 
lishing religious  freedom  "  nobly  declares,  as  defining  the  limits  of  the  civil 
power:  "It  is  time  enough  for  the  rightful  purposes  of  Civil  Government 
for  its  officers  to  interfere  when  principles  break  out  into  oz'crt  acts  against 
peace  and  good  order." 

In  full  accordance,  also,  with  the  foregoing  views  of  the  doctrine  concerning 
the  kingly  office  of  Christ  in  his  Church,  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries 
have  maintained. 

3.  Concerning  the  powers  of  the  several  courts  of  the  church 

AND  their  relations  TO  EACH  OTHER,  AND  TO  THE  OFFICE-BEARERS 
AND  PEOPLE. 

That,  while  "It  is  lawful  and  agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God  that  the 
Church  be  governed  by  several  sorts  of  assemblies,  congregational,  classical 
and  synodical,"  that  "There  should  be  a  subordination  of  congrega- 
tional, classical,  provincial  and  national  assemblies  for  the  government  of 
the  Church."  And  this  for  the  reason,  "  That  the  several  different  congre- 
gations of  believers,  taken  collectively,  constitute  one  Church  of  Christ, 
called,  emphatically,  the  Church ;  and  that  a  larger  part  of  the  Church  or 
a  representation  thereof  should  govern  a  smaller,  and  determine  controver- 
sies which  arise  therein."  [Form  of  Gov.  chap,  xii — note.]  That  is,  that 
the  power  of  the  Assembly  representing  the  whole  should  be  over  the  power 
of  the  Assembly  representing  a  part,  yet  not  so  over  it  as  claiming  concur- 
rent jurisdiction  with  it,  but  simply  as  appellate  and  corrective  of  the 
exercise  of  its  power.     Since  the  power  of  the  whole  is  also  in  every  part, 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  179 

and  the  same  promise  of  the  special  presence  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is 
made  to  the  "two  or  three  "  gathered  to  determine  the  case  of  the  offending 
brother,  as  to  the  apostohc  college  representing  the  whole  Church.  [Com- 
pare Matt.  x\'iii.  15-20  with  Matt,  xxviii.  20.] 

And  they  have  maintained,  also,  that  "All  Church  power,  whether 
exercised  by  the  body  in  general  or  in  the  way  of  representation,  by  dele- 
gated authority,  is  ministerial  and  declarative,  and  that  all  their  decisions 
should  be  founded  upon  the  revealed  will  of  God."  And  that  "There  is 
much  greater  danger  from  the  usurped  claim  of  making  laws  than  from  the 
right  of  judging  of  laws  already  made  (in  the  Scriptures)  and  common  to 
all  who  profess  the  gospel."     [Form  of  Gov.  chap.  i.  7.] 

"That  the  Supreme  Judge  by  v/hich  all  controversies  of  rehgion  are  to 
be  determined  and  all  decrees  of  councils  are  to  be  examined,  and  in  whose 
sentence  7ve  are  to  rest,  can  be  no  other  but  the  Holy  Spirit  speaking  in  the 
Scriptures."     [Conf.  chap.  i.  6.] 

That  "God  alone  is  Lord  of  the  conscience,  and  hath  left  it  free  from 
the  commandments  of  men  which  are  in  any  way  contrary  to  His  Word,  or 
beside  it  in  matters  of  faith  and  worship.  So  that  to  believe  such  doctrines 
or  to  obey  such  commandment  out  of  conscience  is  to  betray  true  liberty  of 
conscience;  and  the  requiring  an  implicit  faith  and  an  absolute  blind  obe-' 
dience  is  to  destroy  liberty  of  conscience  and  reason,  also."  [Conf. 
chap.  XX.  2.] 

In  the  light  of  these  declarations  of  our  standards,  taken  in  connection 
with  those  before  cited  touching  the  execution  of  the  kingly  and  prophetic 
ofBces  of  Christ  in  His  visible  Church,  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have 
maintained,  in  regard  to  the  acts  of  the  General  Assembly  against  which 
they  have  protested : 

First.  That  any  acts  and  deliverances  of  the  Assembly  which  involve  a 
usurpation  of  powers  by  that  body  not  assigned  to  the  General  Assembly  in 
the  Constitution — which  Constitution  we  hold  to  be  consonant  to  the  Word 
of  God,  and  therefore  to  transcend  the  Constitution  is  to  do  also  what  is 
contrary  to  the  Word  of  God — or  any  acts  and  deliverances  of  the  Assembly 
concerning  questions  of  national  or  other  civil  policy — these  being  questions 
in  the  natural  order,  which  "God  the  Supreme  Ruler"  hath  appointed  to 
be  determined  by  the  civil  magistrate,  and  questions  which  the  Lord  Christ, 
as  king  and  prophet  of  the  Church,  hath  not  determined  in  his  Word,  ex- 
cept as  questions  of  sin  and  of  duty  that  concern  the  conscience — all  such 
acts  and  deliverances  are  not  only  in  themselves  errors  as  transcending  the 


l8o  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

powers  of  the  Assembly  and  the  sphere  of  the  Church,  but  also  as  tending 
to  obscure  the  great  doctrine  of  the  kingly  and  prophetic  offices  of  Christ 
as  still  executed  in  his  visible  Church. 

That,  therefore,  while  it  is  a  duty  to  receive  with  reverence  and  submis- 
sion all  such  decrees  as  are  consonant  to  the  Word,  yet  such  dangerous 
errors  are  not  only  to  be  silently  disregarded  as  mere  "commandments  of 
men,  to  obey  which  would  be  to  betray  liberty  of  conscience,"  but  are  to  be 
testified  against ;  and  all  claims  of  authority  resting  upon  them  are  to  be  re- 
sisted, and  this  for  the  following  considerations,  to-wit : 

That  "the  Supreme  Judge  by  whom  all  controversies  of  religion  are  to 
be  decided  and  in  whose  decision  we  are  to  rest,"  is  not  the  Supreme  Court, 
but  "the  Holy  Spirit  speaking  in  the  Scriptures." 

That  it  is  the  duty,  more  especially  of  every  office-bearer  and  court  of 
the  Church  alike  to  bear  witness  to  the  truth  as  against  error,  since  to  this 
obligation  every  office-bearer  is  held  by  his  ordination  vow  to  study  the 
purity  as  well  as  the  peace  of  the  Church. 

That  it  is  expressly  enjoined  upon  the  Presbyteries  in  the  Constitution 
itself  thus  to  bear  witness  for  the  truth — being  required  to  "resolve  ques- 
tions of  doctrine  and  discipline  and  to  condemn  erroneous  opijiions."  Nor 
is  there  any  limitation  to  the  requirement  excluding  from  consideration  any 
erroneous  opinions  because  uttered  by  the  General  Assembly.  On  the  con- 
trary, they  must  for  that  very  reason  condemn  the  errors,  since  errors  of  the 
General  Assembly  more  directly  affect  the  purity  and  peace  of  their  churches 
than  the  errors  of  any  other. 

That  not  only  does  the  Constitution  enjoin  it,  but  the  Lord  Christ,  as  we 
have  seen,  gives  His  special  promise  to  be  present  with  the  lower  court  in 
its  act  not  less  than  to  be  present  "always"  with  those  representing  the 
whole  Church.  And  there  is  every  reason  to  hope  that  the  Holy  Spirit  will 
use  the  faithful  testimony  of  the  lower  court  as  the  means  whereby  to  extend 
in  the  Church  a  re\ival  of  love  for  the  truth,  and  thereby  restore  it  from 
error. 

That,  therefore,  nothing  is  more  absurd  and  dangerous  to  Christian  liberty 
than  the  conception,  by  an  utterly  false  analogy,  that  the  office-bearers  and 
lower  courts  are  bound  to  obey  as  law,  until  repealed,  an  act  that  is  uncon- 
stitutional, and,  therefore,  not  consonant  to  the  Word  of  God,  as  citizens 
obey  civil  acts  until  repealed.  Such  a  conception  could  occur  only  by  reason 
of  utter  forgetfulness  of  all  that  our  standards  teach  concerning  liberty  of 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  i8i 

coasc'ence  and  the  non-obligatory  character  of  decrees  of  councils  that  are 
not  according  to  the  Word. 

That  it  is  an  argument  of  no  real  force  which  urges,  to  the  conti-ary  of 
these  views,  that  they  open  the  door  to  constant  acts  of  disobedience,  resist- 
ance and  schism  in  the  Church  and  make  Church  government  impossible. 
Since,  on  the  one  hand,  Christ  the  king  reigns  still  in  His  visible  Church, 
though  His  representatives  may  be  unfaithful,  and  by  His  Spirit  enlighten- 
ing the  minds  of  His  people,  He  will  in  His  ov,'n  way  and  time  heal  the 
declensions  and  dissensions  of  His  Church.  And,  on  the  other  hand,  still 
more  is  it  true  in  ecclesiastical  than  in  political  governments  that  "all  ex- 
perience hath  shown  that  mankind  are  more  disposed  to  sufter  while  evils 
are  sufferable  than  to  right  themselves  by  abolishing  forms  of  government  to 
which  they  have  long  been  accustomed."  The  long  suffering  of  this  Synod, 
for  seven  years  past,  fully  confirms  this  declaration ;  and  the  apparent  un- 
willingness to  resist  even  yet  on  the  part  of  many  who  are  believed  to  concur 
with  this  Synod,  and  who  at  the  beginning  protested  with  it  against  the  acts 
of  the  General  Assembly  as  violations  of  the  Constitution  and  a  usurpation 
of  the  prerogatives  of  the  Church's  Di%ane  Master,  afford  still  further  melan- 
choly proof  of  the  long  suffering  of  Christian  men  in  bearing  with  error  and 
usurpation. 

And,  finally,  while  maintaining  a  steadfast  opposition  to  the  acts  and 
deliverances  of  the  Assembly  already  recited,  as  their  testimony  for  the 
foregoing  general  doctrines  concerning  the  Church,  this  Synod  and  its 
Presbyteries  have,  in  the  light  of  these  doctrines,  maintained  the  following 
principles : 

4.  COXCERXIXG  THE  INTERrR.E TATIOX  OF  OUR  FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT 
AND  DISCIPLINE  WITH  REFERENCE  TO  THE  FUNCTIONS,  POWERS  AND 
MUTUAL  RELATIONS  OF  THE  COURTS  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

First,  As  to  the  functions  and  sphere  of  the  General  Assembly  and  other 
courts,  they  have  maintained,  and  desire  to  have  it  recognized  as  the 
accepted  interpretation,  that  the  Constitution  of  the  Church  assigns  to  the 
General  Assembly  no  function  to  the  end  that  it  may  counsel,  direct  or 
assist  the  civil  government. 

That  neither  does  the  Constitution  assign  to  the  Assembly  any  authority 
to  consider  and  determine — as  in  the  deliverances  of  1861,  1862,  1863  and 


1 82  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

1864,  on  the  "  State  of  the  Country,"  the  Assembly  appears,  and  is  under- 
stood, to  have  considered  and  determined — either : 

Questions  of  the  pohcy  of  the  State  touching  its  citizens,  or  of  the  duties 
of  citizens,  as  such,  in  respect  of  the  policy  of  the  State ; 

Or,  Questions  between  different  interpretations  of  the  Federal  Consti- 
tution ; 

Or,  Questions,  not  of  duties  toward  the  recognized  Cseasar,  but  of 
deciding  between  rival  Caesars  ; 

Or,  Questions  as  betM-een  different  theories  of  allegiance  to  the  Civil 
Government ; 

Or,  Questions  concerning  the  social  structure  of  different  political  com- 
munities and  their  systems  of  labor ; 

Or,  Questions  touching  the  military  duties  and  policy  of  the  National 
Government,  and  the  duties  of  citizens  to  uphold  the  Government  in  its 
policy. 

Nor  can  they  regard  the  pretense  set  up  as  a  reason  for  considering  and 
determining  such  questions — viz.  :  **That  certain  civil  acts  rise  up  into  the 
region  of  morals,"  otherwise  than  as  an  utter  denial,  in  the  face  of  our 
standards,  that  the  State  is  competent  to  determine  concerning  the  moral 
acts  of  its  citizens ;  and  a  denial  that  the  State  has,  in  the  natural  order, 
any  code  of  morals  given  of  God  the  Supreme  Ruler,  through  reason  and 
the  light  of  nature,  for  the  judgment  of  the  moral  acts  of  its  citizens. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  1 83 


CHAPTER    XI. 

INTERVIEW    WITH    MR.    LINCOLN APPEAL    TO    SYNOD. 

Dr.  McPheeters,  having  drawn  up  a  communication  to  At- 
torney General  Bates,  determines  not  to  send  the  paper,  but 
decides,  accompanied  by  an  Elder,  to  carry  the  letter  in  person 
to  Washington.  During  this  visit  he  held  an  interview  with 
the  President,  an  account  of  which  shall  be  given  in  his  own 
words : 

Believing  that  the  history  of  my  banishment  from  Missouri  by  the  mili- 
tary authorities  will  hereafter  have  some  interest,  as  showing  the  character 
of  the  civil  war,  and  the  manner  in  which  military  men  felt  authorized  to 
act  in  regard  to  the  Church  of  Christ,  I  have  reduced  to  writing  an  accurate 
statement  of  an  interview  I  had  with  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

Soon  after  receiving  from  Provost-Marshal  Col.  Dick  the  order  of  ban- 
ishment, I  determined  to  lay  the  case  before  the  Government,  in  order  that 
it  might  not  be  responsible  for  what  I  considered  a  most  gross  and  unneces- 
sary infringement  of  the  liberty  of  the  Church.  My  first  plan  was  to  draw 
up  a  formal  protest  and  send  it  to  the  Attorney-General,  Mr.  Bates,  and 
ask  him  to  present  it  in  such  form  as  would  be  proper;  and  I  did  draw  up 
such  a  paper  addressed  to  Mr.  Bates.  Afterward,  I  determined  to  go  on 
myself  and  present  the  case  in  person.  I  left  St.  Louis  on  the  afternoon  of 
Tuesday,  December  23,  1862,  and  was  accompanied  by  Capt.  W.  W. 
Greene,  an  elder  of  my  church.  Owing  to  not  making  the  necessary  con- 
nection, we  did  not  reach  Washington  City  until  Friday  evening,  December 
26.  Immediately  upon  our  arriving,  Capt.  Greene  and  myself  went  to  see 
Judge  Bates  at  his  residence,  I  stated  to  Mr.  Bates,  with  whom  I  was 
acquainted,  that  the  object  of  my  visit  to  Washington  was  to  lay  before  him 
some  statements  concerning  my  banishment,  and  to  ask  his  attention  to 
them,  as  the  law  officer  of  the  Government.  I  did  not  have  the  paper  de- 
signed for  him  with  me,  but  I  handed  to  him  the  order  of  Gen.  Curtis, 
upon  reading  which  he  immediately  remarked  that,  being  a  military  order. 


184  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

it  did  not  come  in  his  department — that  the  proper  person  to  review  the 
matter  was  the  Secretary  of  War  or  the  President.  After  some  consuhation 
with  him  I  determined,  if  possible,  to  bring  it  before  the  President,  and 
Mr.  Bates  was  kind  enough  to  agree  to  get  me  an  interview  with  the  Presi- 
dent on  the  next  day,  if  circumstances  would  allow ;  and  I  was  to  call  at 
his  office,  between  ten  and  eleven  o'clock  the  next  day,  for  that  purpose. 

I  had  little  or  no  conversation  with  Mr.  Bates  that  evening  on  this  sub- 
ject, save  that  he  advised  me,  in  order  to  save  the  President's  time,  and  to 
present  my  case  to  my  own  satisfaction,  to  draw  up  what  I  had  to  present 
in  writing.  This  I  intended  to  do,  but  when  I  got  to  my  room,  finding 
myself  very  much  exhausted  by  my  journey,  I  determined  to  present  to 
the  President  the  paper  which  I  had  prepared  for  the  Attorney-General,  and 
which  I  had  with  me  in  Washington.  Next  morning  (Saturday)  I  went  in 
company  with  Mr.  Bates  to  the  President's  house,  and  after  waiting  a  short 
time  I  was  admitted  to  an  audience.  After  the  customary  salutations  the 
President  requested  Mr.  Bates  to  remain  to  the  interview,  which  he 
agreed  to  do.  I  handed  to  him  the  order  of  Gen.  Curtis,  and  told 
him  that  I  held  in  my  hand  a  paper  \vhich,  with  his  permission,  I 
would  proceed  to  read,  as  it  presented  the  case  which  I  had  to  sub- 
mit. He  gave  his  assent,  and  I  read  the  paper,  only  omitting  a 
few  sentences  of  the  introduction.  After  I  had  finished,  the  President 
remarked  that  Mr.  Postmaster-General  Blair  had  given  him  some  letters 
and  papers  on  the  same  subject,  which  had  been  sent  him  from  St.  Louis. 
It  was  evident  that  these  letters  had  prejudiced  the  President  against  me, 
for  he  remarked,  "If  this  order  should  be  revoked  it  would  be  considered 
a  secession  triumph."  He  remarked  further,  that  he  had  read  with  care 
*'my  card  "  (published  in  the  Democraf).  The  President  then  went  on  to 
speak  of  "the  rebellion."  He  said  he  did  not  know  that  it  would  be  put 
down.  He  doubted  if  the  Government  had  the  power  to  suppress  it — that 
the  means  that  were  necessary,  it  seemed,  the  country  would  not  allow. 
He  went  on  to  speak  of  Magruder,  Gen.  Lee,  Breckinridge,  Morehead 
and  others,  who  were  known  to  be  traitors  before  they  took  up  arms.  They 
are  now  the  very  soul  of  the  rebellion ;  yet  if  they  had  been  seized  they 
would  have  said,  ^'What  have  we  done?  "  and  the  country  would  not  have 
sustained  him  in  arresting  them.  He  seemed  to  think  that  things  were  in 
a  sad  way  in  St.  Louis.  "It  is  doubtful,  from  all  that  I  can  learn,"  said 
he,  "whether  the  United  States  or  Jeff.  Davis  have  most  authority  in  St. 
Louis,"   which  no  little  surprised  me,  and  I  could  not  help  thinking  that  he 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  185 

had  received  strange  information  as  to  the  state  of  things  in  Missouii.  The 
President  said  to  me,  "I  presume  if  you  were  in  Jeff.  Davis'  dominions  you 
would  preach  and  pray  differently  from  what  you  do  here  ?  "  I  replied, 
"No,  sir;  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  I  conduct  the  worship  of  God's 
house  without  reference  to  human  government.  I  hold  that  there  are  two 
kingdoms — both  ordained  of  God — the  State  and  the  Church.  I  recog- 
nize in  you  the  chief  officer  of  the  United  States.  With  your  duties 
I  do  not  interfere.  I  am  a  minister  or  officer  in  Christ's  Church,  and 
I  do  not  recognize  any  authority  over  me  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel."  He 
remarked  that  he  had  seen  that  I  had  performed  a  most  singular  baptism  in 
St.  Louis;  that  all  he  knew  about  it  was  learned  from  "my  card."  I  told 
him  it  was  true,  I  had  baptized  a  child,  at  the  parents'  request,  by  the  name 
of  Sterling  Price,  and  that  in  doing  this  I  only  follov.-ed  the  Directory  of 
Worship  of  my  Church.  Here  Attorney-General  Bates  remarked  that  in 
baptizing  the  child  by  the  name  given  it  by  the  parents  the  minister  clearly 
had  no  option ;  that  I  could  not  have  done  differently  with  propriety ;  that 
if  his  pastor  should  refuse  to  baptize  his  child  by  the  name  he  should  select, 
he  should  ask  the  Church  courts  to  try  him  lor  neglect  of  duty.  The  Presi- 
dent made  no  reply  to  this,  but  went  on  to  make  some  remarks  about  the 
State  and  the  Church,  saying  that  the  line  between  them  was  not  very  clearly 
defined,  &c.  Mr.  Bates  said  that  while  that  was  true  in  some  respects,  it 
was  clear  that  the  military  authorities  had  no  right  or  power  to  conduct  a 
Church.  He  called  the  President's  attention  to  the  fact  that  my  church  had 
been  seized  by  the  military,  not  for  a  hospital,  but  for  a  church,  and  to  be 
conducted  as  a  church.  Mr.  Bates  further  remarked  that,  as  to  me  person- 
ally he  had  nothing  to  say,  further  than  that  he  knew  my  standing  in  St. 
Louis  to  be  of  the  highest  respectabiHty.  If,  however,  he  has  been  guilty, 
continued  ;Mr.  B.,  of  any  \aolation  of  the  law,  or  any  act  of  hostility  to  the 
Government,  let  him  be  punished  like  any  other  citizen ;  but  it  will  not  do 
for  the  Government  to  allow  any  such  direct  interference  with  the  Church  as 
this  order  of  General  Curtis  seems  to  contemplate.  The  President  remarked 
that  he  did  not  see  that  there  was  any  special  ground  in  my  case  why  such 
an  order  should  have  been  issued.  "It  is  not  charged,  as  far  as  appears, 
that  you  have  violated  your  oath."  I  remarked  that  no  such  charge  had 
ever  been  made.  He  went  on  to  say  that  those  clerg}-men  who  had  never 
been  in  the  habit  of  praying  for  the  Government,  their  not  doing  so  now 
would  not  be  cause  of  suspicion ;  but  where  they  had  been  in  the  habit  of 
doing  this  and  now  ceased,  it  would  seem  to  imply  something.     In  the 


l86  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

course  of  the  conversation  Mr.  Lincoln  arose  from  his  seat  and  walking 
across  the  room  once  or  twice,  said:  "There  was  a  difficulty  in  knowing 
what  to  do  with  such  cases,  very  much  like  the  difficulty  that  Shylock  had 
in  knowing  how  to  get  the  pound  of  flesh  without  the  blood."  The  Presi- 
dent seemed  to  take  some  interest  in  the  case,  and  was  no  httle  perplexed, 
apparently,  in  knowing  exactly  what  to  do.  The  decided  impression  made 
on  my  mind  was,  that  he  did  not  approve  of  the  order,  yet  he  seemed  un- 
willing to  revoke  it.  At  last  he  asked  me  for  the  papers  and  documents 
connected  with  it,  saying  that  he  would  examine  into  it  still  further.  I  gave 
him  my  pamphlet,  Mr.  Strong's  letter,  as  it  was  published  in  the  Dctnocrat, 
of  December  13,  and  "my  card"  to  the  public,  as  printed  in  the  same  pa- 
per December  20,  also  the  paper  I  had  read  to  him,  and  he  filed  them  away. 
Seeing  that  he  wished  the  interview  terminated,  both  Mr.  Bates  and  myself 
arose  to  depart.  As  I  arose  I  remarked  to  him  that  the  ten  days  allowed 
me  by  the  order  expired  the  next  day.  He  said :  "As  to  that,  I  will  pro- 
tect you  until  a  decision  is  reached,  and  Mr.  Bates  will  be  my  witness  if  it 
escapes  my  memory."  I  reminded  him  that  the  order  affected  my  family 
as  well  as  myself.  He  immediately  replied:  "I  will  attend  to  that,  too." 
And  taking  his  pen  he  wrote  a  dispatch  to  General  Curtis,  which  he  read  to 
Mr.  Bates  and  myself.  It  was  in  these  or  very  similar  words  :  "  Suspend 
the  order  concerning  Dr.  McPheeters  and  family  until  further  orders." 

President  Lincoln,  according  to  promise,  immediately  sent  a 
dispatch  to  Maj.-Gen.  Curtis  to  "suspend  the  order  against  Dr. 
McPheeters  until  further  orders." 

Dr.  McPheeters  reached  his  home  in  Missouri  on  January  2, 
1863.  On  the  same  day  he  wrote  to  Judge  Bates,  saying,  "  I 
found  the  enclosed  order  awaiting  me,  which  I  send  you  : 

The  order  made  against  you  on  the  19th  of  December  is  modified  until 

further  orders,  to  this  extent,  that  you  are  not  required  to  leave  the  State. 

By  order  of  Mai.  Gen.  Curtis. 

F.  A.  DICK, 

Lieut. -Col.,  Provost-Marshal. 

"  You  see  that  I  was  not  wrong  in  saying  that  the  telegram  of 

the  President  would  not  affect  my  case.     I  am  not  disposed  to 

resist  this  last  order  of  General  Curtis.     I  shall  obey  it.     But  I 

felt  it  but  proper  to  let  you  see  how  matters  stand.     I  am  only 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  1 87 

sorry  that  Pine  Street  Church  is  to  remain  closed,  and  as  I  see 
plainly  that,  first  or  last,  I  shall  have  to  leave  this  State,  I 
only  hope  to  have  sufficient  time  to  prepare  for  my  departure, 
and  on  that  account  should  like  to  know  the  result  reached  at 
as  early  a  time  as  may  be." 

The  order  of  Curtis,  however,  was  not  modified,  although  it 
was  on  this  very  second  day  of  January  that  Mr.  Lincoln  wrote 
the  celebrated  letter  in  which  he  forbids  his  generals  to  "  run 
the  churches."  On  the  4th  of  March  the  Pine  Street  Church 
building  was  released,  but  the  military  authorities  still  held  the 
noble  pastor  in  bonds.  Finally,  a  friend,  on  his  own  motion, 
visited  the  Commanding  General  and  essayed  to  get  the  mili- 
tary order  set  aside. 

On  March  28,  1863,  Gen.  Curtis  writes  from  his  own  head- 
quarters in  St.  Louis  directly  to  Dr.  jNIcPheeters.     He  says  : 

Restraints  having  been  imposed  on  your  exercise  of  public  functions 
because  of  supposed  disloyalty,  some  of  your  friends  have  traversed  the 
fact  of  your  being  disloyal,  and  desire  my  personal  intervention.  With  a 
view  of  ascertaining  your  sentiments,  I  submit  to  you  the  following  inter- 
rogatories for  your  answer : 

1.  Do  you  wish  the  rebellion  crushed,  and  are  you  in  favor  of  the  restora- 
tion of  the  national  authority  over  all  the  country  ? 

2.  In  the  confliet  of  war  now  existing  do  you  desire  the  success  of  the 
Federal  and  the  defeat  of  the  rebel  forces  ? 

To  this  letter  Dr.  McPheeters  replies  on  March  31 : 
I  have  the  honor  of  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  28th, 
the  Sabbath  intervening  between  its  date  and  reception. 

Allow  me,  General,  to  express  my  thanks  for  the  kind  manner  in  which 
you  received  and  heard  my  friends,  and  for  your  further  kindness  in  review- 
ing the  decision  in  my  case.  Under  other  circumstances  than  those  in 
which  I  find  myself  placed  it  might  be  proper  and  becoming  in  me  to 
express  freely  and  fully  both  my  desires  and  opinions,  as  far  as  I  have 
desires  or  have  formed  opinions,  in  relation  to  our  sad  national  calamities. 
But  the  position  in  which  my  seemingly  hard  fate  has  placed  me  is  peculiar 


l88  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

and  embarrassing,  and  my  answer  to  your  interrogatories  must  be  deter- 
mined in  view  of  all  the  circumstances  surrounding  me  and  my  convictions 
of  duty.  I  do  not  mean  that  I  have,  or  that  any  citizen,  however  sit- 
uated, can  or  ought  to  have,  any  difficulty  in  acknowledging  his  allegiance. 
Certainly  no  such  difficulty  is  in  my  way.  When,  in  the  General  Assembly 
of  my  Church,  it  was  intimated  that  I  was  disloyal,  I  promptly  and  thor- 
oughly repelled  the  insinuation  openly  and  before  the  whole  country.  And 
when  the  Convention  of  this  State,  by  ordinance,  required  a  most  carefully 
prepared  oath  of  allegiance  to  be  taken  by  those  who  solemnize  the  rite  of 
matrimony,  in  obedience  to  the  teachings  of  my  Church  on  that  particular 
matter  (Directory  Worship,  ch.  xi.  sec.  i),  and  from  a  sense  of  duty,  I  vol- 
untarily subscribed  and  filed  it,  as  required.  And,  in  this  connection,  alloAV 
me  to  say  that  one  of  the  things  which  I  have  found  it  hardest  to  bear  in  the 
course  of  the  authorities  toward  me  is,  that  I  have  not  only  been  treated  as 
though  I  had  taken  this  oath  without  honor  or  conscience,  but  whatever 
influence  my  office  or  character  give  me  is  made  to  encourage  and  sustain 
those  who  are  shaking  the  very  foundations  of  society  by  denying  the 
solemn  and  binding  obligation  of  an  oath.  But  I  forbear.  I  have  said  so 
much  as  due  to  myself  and  to  kind  friends  who  have  interfered  in  my 
behalf. 

Nov.-,  as  to  the  particular  interrogatories  propounded.  They  are  of  the 
same  import  as  those  to  which  certain  members  of  my  Church  and  congre- 
gation demand  of  me  answers. 

I  denied  the  right  to  require  an  answer  from  me,  and  in  doing  so  used 
this  language:  "And  this  position  I  take  not  from  any  disposition  to  stand 
out  captiously  upon  an  abstract  question  of  right,  nor  from  any  disposition 
improperly  to  conceal  my  political  views  on  political  questions,  but  from  a 
conscientious  conviction  that  I  can  not  yield  the  thing  you  claim  without,  to 
the  full  extent  of  my  example,  compromising  the  rights  of  every  minister 
and  endangering  the  peace  of  all  our  Churches."  When  I  then  refused  to 
answer  these  questions,  they  made  appeal  to  the  pubhc  and,  directly  or  indi- 
rectly, to  the  military  authorities.  The  result  was,  that  military  order  No. 
152  was  made  and  issued,  which,  for  my  silence  and  refusal  to  answer  these 
members  of  my  Church,  banished  me  from  my  pulpit,  and,  as  originally 
made,  from  this  State.  This  order  is,  in  express  terms,  on  its  face,  based 
on  my  position  above  quoted,  taken  with  the  members  of  my  Church. 

If  I  was  right  then,  it  can  not  now  be  proper  that  I  should  give  an  answer 
which  I  then  declined  on  principle — a  principle  on  the  maintenance  of  which 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  189 

I  then  and  now  believe  depends,  in  a  great  degree,  the  peace,  the  purity 
and  the  spiritual  power  of  the  Church. 

I  do  not  expect  you,  General,  to  see  all  the  consequences  of  a  precedent 
such  as  my  answer  to  the  questions  proposed  would  establish  as  I  think 
I  see  them.  But  this  I  think  I  have  a  right  to  expect — that  you  will  see 
that,  believing  as  I  do,  I  can  not  answer  the  questions  which  you  proposed, 
under  the  circumstances  in  which  they  are  propounded,  without  aban- 
doning my  religious  convictions  and  wounding  my  conscience.  I  dare  not, 
then,  whatever  be  the  consequences  to  me  personally,  make  such  a  reply  to 
your  kind  letter  as  you  probably  expected. 

But  I  trust  that  I  have  said  enough  to  satisfy  you  that  all  charges  of  dis- 
loyalty against  me  are  without  foundation.  In  this  connection  I  may  be 
pardoned  for  quoting  from  your  circular  letter  defining  loyalty.  You  say : 
* '  Prima  facie,  an  oath  of  allegiance  is  evidence  of  loyalty,  and  when  men 
have  taken  upon  themselves  such  obligations,  and  have  lived  and  acted  con- 
sistently with  them,  they  should  be  regarded  as  loyal."  I  have  taken  the 
oath  voluntarily  and  conscientiously.  I  have  lived  consistently  with  it. 
Your  own  words  decide  the  rest — I  "should  be  regarded  as  loyal." 
Under  your  order,  and  with  any  construction  that  could  be  put  upon  it,  I 
would  be  allowed  to  buy  or  sell,  to  practice  medicine,  to  plead  law — why 
not  to  preach  the  gospel  ? 

But  I  will  not  weary  your  patience.  I  thank  you  for  reading  so  much  as 
I  have  written.  I  have  never  believed  that  in  any  thing  that  has  occurred 
you  have  designed  to  do  me  injustice.  And  I  hope  that  you  will  see  your 
way  clear  to  remove  the  hindrance  to  my  returning  to  my  work  and  calling. 
In  any  event,  I  shall  try  to  so  live  and  act  that  those  who  know  nie  will  be 
constrained  to  confess  that  I  am  not  a  bad,  much  less  a  dangerous,  citizen. 

It  has  been  seen  that  the  Government  exhibited  signs  of 
placabiHty,  but  the  "  committee  "  were  not  satisfied.  Seizing, 
therefore,  a  moment  of  intense  excitement  in  the  State,  the 
Presbytery  of  St.  Louis  was  called  to  a  special  meeting  on  the 
request  of  three  ministers  and  four  elders,  only  one  of  the  min- 
isters having  a  charge,  three  of  the  elders  being  of  Mr.  Porter's 
church,  and  of  the  whole  number  of  ministers  and  elders  only 
one  elder  a   member  of  Pine  Street    Church.     This   special 


190  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

meeting  convened  on  the  15th  of  May,  1863,  and  was  com- 
posed of  only  sixteen  out  of  nearly  sixty  ministers  and  elders 
in  the  Presbytery. 

Up  to  this  period  Dr.  McPheeters  was  firmly  resolved,  cost 
what  it  might  to  himself  individually,  to  hold  to  the  pastoral 
relation.  But  on  "  the  morning  before  the  Presbytery  met  he 
was  reliably  informed  that  the  Provost-Marshal  had  determined, 
if  the  Presbytery  persisted  in  refusing  to  expel  him  from  his 
Church  at  the  request  of  the  minority,  to  imprison  or  banish 
every  one  of  them.  Dr.  McPheeters  sent  messages  to  the 
different  depots  to  prevent  the  ministers  from  meeting  together; 
but  they  would  meet  and  would  not  vote  for  his  expulsion. 
Immediately  on  the  convening  of  the  Presbytery,  to  prevent 
any  action,  he  handed  in  his  resignation,  not  being  able 
(considering  the  source  of  his  information  in  regard  to  the 
contemplated  action  of  the  Provost-Marshal)  to  explain  why. 
As  far  as  concerned  himself  he  was  ready  to  suffer  anything ; 
but  knowing  what  these  men  and  their  families  would  suffer, 
he  was  not  prepared  to  see  them  encounter  it  all,  as  it  then 
seemed,  for  his  sake." 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  Dr.  McPheeters  sent  in  his  resigna- 
tion at  this  time  under  duress  of  the  military,  and  only  as  a 
supposed  safeguard  for  his  brethren.  But  even  under  these 
circumstances  Presbytery  sternly  refused  to  accept  it.  And 
afterward,  when  the  matter  came  to  be  known  to  the  Pine 
Street  congregation,  they  assembled  and  resolved,  by  a  vote  of 
91  to  56  "that  the  meeting  do  not  agree  to  and  protest  against 
the  dissolution  of  the  existing  relation  with  Rev.  S.  B.  McPhee- 
ters as  pastor  of  our  Church,  and  that  we  request  him  to  with- 
draw his  resignation  offered  to  St.  Louis  Presbytery."  It  is, 
therefore,  plain  that  neither  Dr.  McPheeters  nor  his  congrega- 
tion asked  the  Presbytery  to  dissolve  the  relation  which  existed 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  19I 

between  the  pastor  and  his  flock.  But  as  this  matter  is  fully 
discussed  by  Judge  Wood  and  Dr.  McPheeters  in  their  speeches 
before  the  Assembly,  any  further  comments  on  the  subject  are 
withheld. 

Here,  then,  was  a  minister  of  Christ,  whose  reputation  for 
purity  of  life  filled  the  whole  land,  persecuted  by  the  professed 
Church  of  God  because  he  would  not  submissively  yoke  him- 
self to  the  chariot  wheels  of  Caesar.  Never  a  vestige  of  proot 
could  be  obtained  to  establish  disloyalty.  The  oath  of  alle- 
giance had  been  taken  and  kept.  No  man  living  witnessed  an 
act  or  heard  a  word  from  the  lips  of  McPheeters  to  which  the 
sternest  and  most  inexorable  government  could  except,  yet 
because  the  man  could  not  make  the  pulpit  the  vehicle  of 
bloody  politics,  and  in  his  prayers  fill  the  ear  of  the  Almighty 
with  petitions  for  the  success  of  this  or  that  party,  his  own 
brethren  cried :  "  Persecute  and  take  him,  and  let  there  be 
none  to  deliver."  This  unoffending  and  peerless  minister  of 
Jesus,  thus  driven  away  from  his  flock  by  the  efforts  of  "  false 
brethren,"  was  obliged  to  look  around  upon  the  world  for  some 
occupation  by  which  he  and  his  household  could  be  provided 
with  bread;  for  it  was  his  settled  determination  not  to  accept 
a  salary  from  a  congregation  who  were  deprived  of  his  services. 
In  the  ofiice  of  a  government  official  a  position  was  offered 
and  accepted,  and  by  services  rendered  there  a  scanty  provis- 
ion for  himself  and  family  came  into  his  hands.  He  also 
preached  here  and  there,  as  opportunity  arose,  and  now  and 
then  a  pecuniary  acknowledgment  was  placed  in  his  hands. 
These  testimonials  reached  him  sometimes,  as  manna  from 
heaven,  just  at  the  very  moment  when,  like  the  widow  of 
Zarephath,  he  gathered  sticks  to  bake  the  last  handful  of  meal. 

He  was  not  even  allowed  to  stand  up  before  his  accusers  and 
utter  a  sinde  word  of  defense ;  •  for  it  will   be   remembered 


192 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 


"  that  about  the  last  of  JMarch  or  the  first  of  April,  Dr.  Mc- 
Pheeters,  by  virtue  of  his  office  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  a 
member  of  Presbytery,  and  having  a  personal  interest  in 
business  before  Presbytery,  then  to  meet  on  the  8th  of  April, 
desired  to  attend,  and  application  was  made  to  General  Curtis 
to  know  if  his  attendance  would  be  a  violation  of  order  152. 
General  Curtis  said  his  attendance  was  prohibited  by  that 
order;  and  he  did  not  attend.  Again,  in  May  following,  at  a 
special  meeting  of  Presbytery,  he  had  a  personal  case,  involv- 
ing his  highest  and  dearest  interests.  He  then  made  applica- 
tion to  General  Curtis,  through  Brig.-Gen'l.  Edwards,  to 
so  far  relax  the  order  as  to  allow  him  to  attend,  which  was 
denied  and  refused  by  General  Curtis.  He  was  denied  and 
refused  the  liberty  of  attending  and  officiating  on  funeral 
and  marriage  occasions ;  in  short,  the  prohibition  was  under- 
stood to  extend  to  "all  ministerial  acts  and  offices."  When 
General  Schofield  superseded  General  Curtis,  and  after  the 
mischief  was  done,  an  order,  dated  June  3d,  gave  him  "  per- 
mission to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis, 
for  the  purpose  of  defending  his  ministerial  character,  but  not 
to  act  as  a  member  of  such  body."  At  the  very  moment  when 
Dr.  McPheeters  was  denied  the  right  of  self  defense  before  his 
own  Presbytery  he  was  allowed,  without  challenge,  to  practice 
in  the  U.  S.  Court  of  Claims,  and  to  receive,  without  question, 
a  fee  from  his  client.  Even  the  stern  military  authorities, 
when  left  to  their  own  unprejudiced  judgment,  could  repose 
confidence  in  his  integrity,  fairness  and  ability,  while  he  was 
hunted  down  like  a  hare  by  his  brethren  and  co-presbyters. 

In  the  meantime  an  appeal  was  taken  to  the  Synod  of  Mis- 
souri against  the  unconstitutional  proceedings  of  Presbytery. 
It  was  submitted  to  Presbytery  by  W.  W.  Greene,  as  representa- 
tive of  the  Pine  Street  Church. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  193 

To  the  Moderator  of  St.  Louis  Presbytery : 

Reverend  and  Dear  Sir  :  The  undersigned  herewith  puts  into  your 
hands,  as  Moderator  of  Presbytery,  an  appeal  and  complaint  to  Synod 
against  the  action  of  a  special  meeting  of  Presbytery,  convened  in  this  city 
on  the  22d  of  June,  1863,  and  which  closed  its  sessions  on  the  27th  of  June, 
in  dissolving  the  pastoral  relation  between  the  Rev,  Samuel  B.  McPheeters 
and  Pine  Street  Church  of  St.  Louis. 

The  grounds  of  appeal  and  complaint  are  the  following : 

1.  There  was  no  valid  or  constitutional  ground  for  calling  a  special  meet- 
ing of  Presbytery.  The  difficulties  in  Pme  Street  Church — such  as  they 
were — were  all  known  at  the  stated  meetings  and  should  have  been  brought 
up  then,  if  it  had  been  considered  important  to  take  any  steps  in  relation  to 
them.     [Baird's  Digest,  Book  V,  part  I,  sec.  4.] 

2.  Because  this  special  meeting  was  called  at  a  time  of  great  excitement 
in  the  State,  and  under  such  circumstances  as  were  calculated  to  prevent 
members  of  Presbytery  from  attending;  and  the  undersigned  believes  that 
but  for  this  circumstance  Presbytery  would  not  have  dissolved  the  relation, 
and  he  does  not,  nor  do  the  majority  of  the  members  of  Pine  Street  Church 
regard  the  action  of  Presbytery  as  a  fair  expression  of  the  opinion  of  that 
body ;  and  he  and  they  consider  the  action  of  Presbytery  as  a  grievous 
wrong,  which  Synod  should  not  permit  to  pass  unrebuked,  and  that  they 
should  reverse  the  decision  of  a  Presbytery  so  called. 

3.  Because  there  was  no  petition  from  either  pastor  or  Church  for  a  dis- 
solution of  the  relation. 

Rev.  Dr.  McPheeters,  it  is  true,  put  his  resignation  in  the  hands  of 
Presbytery ;  but  in  a  paper  which  he  afterward  handed  in,  and  which  was 
read  before  Presbytery,  he  gave  at  large  his  reasons  for  sending  his  resigna- 
tion to  Presbytery,  and  that  paper  (which  is  made  a  part  of  this  communi- 
cation, and  is  marked  "A")  sets  forth  in  a  strong  light  reasons  why  Presby- 
tery should  not  have  regarded  his  resignation  as  a  request  for  the  dissolution 
of  the  pastoral  relation. 

As  to  the  Church,  at  a  meeting  called  to  consider  that  very  subject,  a 
vote  was  had  by  taking  the  yeas  and  nays,  when  a  very  large  majority 
opposed  and  protested  against  Presbytery  dissohing  the  relation.  This  will 
more  fiilly  appear  in  the  records  of  the  meetings  of  Pine  Street  Church, 
authentic  copies  of  which  are  upon  record  in  the  Session  book  of  the  Church, 
and  should  be  upon  the  records  of  Presbytery,  and  which  are  also  submitted 
as  part  of  this  paper. 

13 


1^4  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

4.  Because  Presbytery  received  and  heard,  as  a  commissioner  from  Pine 
Street  Church,  George  P.  Strong,  when  it  was  well  known  that  he  was 
elected  a  commissioner  under  circumstances  that  any  court  of  the  Church 
should  have  refused  to  hear  him,  and  when  it  was  well  known  that  the  ma- 
jority of  the  Church  had  asked  him  to  resign  if  he  could  not  conscientiously 
represent  their  wishes.  All  this  is  plain  from  the  minutes  of  the  Church 
meeting  before  referred  to.  The  majority  of  the  Church,  therefore,  feel 
that  they  were  not  only  deprived  of  their  constitutional  right  to  be  heard  by 
a  commissioner  who  truly  represented  their  desires  and  opinions,  but  that 
they  were  misrepresented  in  a  way  that  they  consider  inflicted  on  them  a 
gross  wrong. 

4.  Because  Presbytery  not  only  received  Mr.  Strong  as  a  commissioner, 
but  they  allowed  him,  in  the  absence  of  Dr.  McPheeters,  to  proceed,  in  a 
long  speech,  to  make  an  assault  upon  the  moral  and  Christian  character  of 
Dr.  McPheeters  as  a  man  notoriously  guilty  of  high  civil  crimes,  and,  un- 
der the  shallow  pretense  of  giving  rumors,  really  to  lay  charges,  which,  if 
true,  or  if  believed  to  be  true,  it  was  plainly  the  duty  of  Mr.  Strong  to  have 
made  in  the  manner  the  Constitution  prescribes,  and  as  plainly  improper  for 
Presbytery  to  allow,  except  as  the  ground  of  judicial  investigation.  And 
the  undersigned,  in  the  name  of  a  majority  of  Pine  Street  Church,  and  in 
the  name  of  common  justice,  asks  your  reverend  body  to  set  aside  a  de- 
cision which  was  secured  by  a  course  so  at  war  with  Presbyterian  usage,  so 
destructive  of  the  rights  of  all  ministers  and  the  peace  of  all  our  Churches. 
No  court  of  our  Church  has  a  right  to  hear  such  charges,  even  if  true,  except 
as  a  ground  for  judicial  investigation;  much  less  have  they  a  right  to  hear 
them  when  they  are  reckless,  wanton  and  untrue. 

6.  Because  the  undersigned  and  a  majority  of  the  Church  believe  and  are 
fully  persuaded  that  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation  at  this  time  and 
under  these  circumstances  endangers  not  only  the  interest,  but  the  very  ex- 
istence of  the  Church,  and  they  ask  your  reverend  body  to  interpose  and 
set  aside  the  decision  of  Presbytery,  or  at  least  that  the  whole  matter  shall 
be  sent  back  for  a  new  hearing  and  for  a  fair  and  full  expression  on  the 
part  of  Presbytery  of  its  Christian  judgment  in  the  premises. 

When  Synod  met,  Dr.  McPheeters  forwarded  the  following 
letter : 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D,  D. 


195 


St.  Louis,  October  13th,  1S63. 
To  the  Moderator  of  the  Synod  of  jMissoiwi: 

The  Commander  of  the  Department  issued,  nearly  a  year  ago,  an  order 
against  me,  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  which  makes  it  a  military  offense 
for  me  to  sit  as  a  member  of  a  court  of  Christ's  Church,  and  to  deliberate 
on  matters  pertaining  to  His  Kingdom.  While  such  an  order  in  no  degree 
binds  my  conscience,  it  is  still  one  which  I  am  compelled  to  obey. 

For  this  reason,  I  shall  not  be  present  at  the  meeting  of  Synod.  The 
records  of  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis  will  inform  you  of  matters  deeply 
affecting  me  as  the  pastor  of  one  of  your  Churches,  and,  in  some  aspects, 
as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  which  my  Presbytery  have  considered  and 
decided.  How  far  the  record  will  present  the  true  state  of  the  case  I  am 
unable  to  say,  as  I  was  not  permitted  to  be  present ;  but  I  have  reason  to 
believe  that  the  record  of  Presbytery  is  defective,  in  that  it  contains  no 
allusions  to  important  papers  which  were  before  that  body,  and  which 
should,  in  all  fairness  and  propriety,  have  been  before  Synod.  I  was,  as  I 
before  remarked,  prohibited  from  sitting  in  Presbytery,  as  a  free  member 
of  the  body.  I  had  no  opportunity  of  making  even  a  statement  to  the 
body.  On  the  other  hand,  Presbytery  heard  a  long  speech  from  a  member 
of  my  Church,  who  had  no  right  to  be  heard,  in  which  my  character  was 
assailed. 


196  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

LETTER     TO     GOVERNOR    GAMBLE LETTERS    OF    JUDGE     BATES, 

PRESIDENT    LINCOLN,    ETC. 

Dr.  McPheeters  once  again  determined  to  make  an  appeal 
to  the  civil  authorities,  and,  therefore,  wrote  to  Gov.  Gamble, 
under  date  of  December  3d,  1863: 

As  your  time  is  necessarily  occupied  by  your  official  duties,  it  is  with 
reluctance  that  I  trouble  you  with  any  matters  relating  to  myself.  I  know, 
too,  that  the  removal  of  the  grievance  under  which  I  labor  is  not  imme- 
diately in  your  hands.  What  I  wish  to  ask  of  you,  however,  is  only  your 
kind  offices  in  suggesting  any  thing  that  it  may  be  proper  tor  me  to  do,  and 
any  assistance  in  the  premises  which  you  may  be  disposed  to  give  me.  I 
flatter  myself  that  my  intercourse  with  you  in  years  past  has  left  the 
impression  on  you  that  I  will  not  knowingly  make  a  statement  which  I  do 
not  myself  believe  to  be  true. 

My  case  is  this  : 

On  the  19th  day  of  December,  1862,  a  military  order  was  issued  con- 
taining a  threefold  sentence : 

(ist)  Myself  and  wife  were  to  be  banished  to  specified  limits  in  the  Nor- 
thern States.  (2d)  While  I  remained  in  Missouri  I  was  prohibited  the 
exercise  of  my  functions  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  (3d)  My  Church 
was  taken  from  the  control  of  its  ecclesiastical  officers  and  given  in  charge 
of  a  commission,  who  are  directed  to  provide  a  preacher  and  conduct  the 
services. 

By  a  subsequent  order,  dated  December  28,  1862,  the  sentence  of  ban- 
ishment was  suspended.  By  a  third  order,  dated  March  4,  the  control  of 
my  Church  was  returned  to  the  Church  officers.  From  these  several  orders 
(copies  of  which  I  enclose,  marked  A,  B  and  C)  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
only  part  of  the  original  order  against  me  that  remains  in  force  is  that  which 
forbids  me  the  exercise  of  my  distinctive  functions  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel. 
So  true  is  this  that  it  is  known  to  the  entire  community  that  for  nearly  a 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  I97 

year  I  have  been  in  the  full  and  uninterrupted  enjoyment  of  every  right  of  a' 
citizen  except  my  ecclesiastical  and  religious  rights. 

Refusing  to  receive  a  salary  from  my  congregation  for  services  I  was  pre- 
vented from  rendering,  I  have  been  forced  to  turn  to  secular  pursuits — for 
many  months  past  have  found  employment  in  a  law  office.  In  this  position 
I  have  not  only  prepared,  but  in  person  presented  and  passed  claims  before 
a  Commission  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States.  If  pre- 
pared, I  might  practice  law.  If  disposed,  I  might  publicly  lecture  on  his- 
tory, art,  or  science.  I  have  voted  without  challenge  or  objection.  In 
short,  there  is  no  secular  calling  which  is  not  as  open  to  me  as  to  any  other 
citizen.  And  yet  it  would  be  a  military  offense  for  me  to  preach  a  sermon, 
to  sit  in  an  ecclesiastical  court,  to  administer  the  Lord's  Supper,  or  to  offi- 
ciate at  a  funeral ! 

The  simple,  naked  fact  is,  that,  as  matters  now  stand,  the  military  authori- 
ties have  deposed  me  from  the  Gospel  ministry,  and  this  is  the  only  griev- 
ance under  which  I  labor,  and  from  which  I  seek  to  be  relieved.  I  could 
give  a  very  rational  explanation  of  this  strange,  not  to  say  absurd,  issue  of  my 
case,  but  it  would  require  more  space  than  I  think  proper  to  occupy.  Suffice 
it  to  say,  that  it  is  manifest  on  the  face  of  the  original  order  that  it  was  no 
part  of  the  purpose  of  the  military  authorities,  at  the  time  the  order  was 
issued,  to  prohibit  the  exercise  of  my  ministerial  functions  for  a  longer 
time  than  the  ten  days  which  were  to  elapse  between  the  order  and  the  ban- 
ishment. When  the  order  of  banishment  was  suspended,  it  was  so  worded 
as  to  leave  the  ecclesiastical  sentence  in  force.  And  thus  matters  have  stood 
up  to  this  time. 

I  think  I  have  a  right  to  assume  that  if  there  was  any  valid  ground  why 
I  should  have  been  punished,  it  would  have  come  to  light  in  a  year ;  and  I 
am  confident  if  there  had  been  any  evidence  against  me  at  any  time  during 
the  year  that  I  would  not  have  been  permitted  to  remain  in  the  State.  The 
truth  is.  Governor,  that  the  original  sentence  was  hastily  issued,  upon  the 
representation  of  one  or  two  misguided  and  prejudiced  men,  and  was  pro- 
nounced without  my  having  any  examination  or  trial  whatever.  This  I  have 
always  regarded  as  hard  treatment.  For  some  months  before  the  order  was 
issued,  hearing  that  charges  and  insinuations  were  being  made  against  me 
privately,  I  went  in  person  to  both  the  District  Provost-Marshal  and  the 
Provost-Marshal  General  and  made  special  request  that  if  charges  of  any 
kind  were  preferred  against  me  I  might  have  a  hearing  before  sentence  was 
passed.     And  if  this,  as  it  seems  to  me,  reasonable  request  had  been  granted. 


198  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

I  firmly  believe  that  no  order  would  ever  have  been  issued.  It  is  most  cer- 
tain that  the  order  of  December  19  could  not  be  obtained  against  me  now. 
I  believe  that  those  who  asked  and  procured  it  then  would  not  ask  it  to-day. 
I  am  much  mistaken  if  they  are  glad  to-day  of  what  they  did  a  year  ago.  I 
have  not,  up  to  this  time,  presented  my  case  to  the  General  now  commanding 
this  Department,  nor  asked  him  to  review  it,  mainly  for  two  reasons:  I.  It 
was  a  case  decided  by  his  predecessor.  2.  Friends,  in  whose  judgment  I 
relied,  thought,  in  the  condition  of  things  in  Missouri,  it  was  better  for  me 
patiently  to  wait.  I  feel  that  I  have  now  waited  long  enough,  and  think 
something  should  be  done  in  my  case.  I  am  the  only  minister  of  any  denomi- 
nation in  the  city  prohibited  by  military  authority  from  preaching.  I  appeal 
to  you,  as  one  acquainted  with  this  community,  and  acquainted  with  me,  if 
such  a  distinction  against  me  makes  the  impression  upon  respectable  citizens 
that  this  sentence  is  just  and  right !  The  question  I  wish  to  submit  to  you  is, 
what  should  I  do  to  bring  my  case  before  the  proper  authorities  ?  If  the 
sentence  can  be  removed  by  a  simple  reversal,  giving  no  reasons  and  going 
into  no  explanations,  I  have  no  objections.  If  a  trial  is  necessary,  then  I 
ask,  as  a  matter  of  justice,  that  it  may  be  full  and  searching,  and  that  I  have 
a  fair  opportunity  of  thoroughly  vindicating  my  character  and  conduct. 

On  December  31,  1863,  Judge  Bates  wrote  from  Washington 
directly  to  Dr.  McPheeters  : 

Governor  Gamble  transmitted  to  me  (in  his  letter  of  December  27)  your 
letter  to  him,  of  December  3d,  which  contains  a  lucid  statement  of  the  con- 
dition in  which  you  suppose  yourself  to  be  left  by  the  various  military  orders, 
copies  of  which  accompanied  your  letter. 

Before  the  receipt  of  Governor  Gamble's  letter,  I  had  received  a  petition 
in  your  behalf,  addressed  to  the  President  by  some  twenty  or  more,  among 
whom  I  recognize  some  of  the  worthiest  men  in  St.  Louis.  That  petition, 
with  several  letters  of  individuals  which  were  sent  with  it,  I  laid  before  the 
President.  He  seemed  much  surprised  to  find  that  you  were  still  laboring 
under  any  clerical  or  professional  disabilities  in  consequence  of  those  ill- 
advised  military  orders  which,  in  all  their  personal  and  civil  bearings,  had 
been  superseded  long  ago,  and  he  answered  Mr.  O.  D.  Filley  (who 
wi-ote  one  of  the  letters  above  referred  to)  in  a  manner  which  he  supposed 
would  end  the  question.  Again  I  brought  the  matter  to  his  notice  by  ex- 
hibiting the  documents  first  mentioned  in  this  letter.  The  President,  in 
substance,  answered,  that  it  was  always  his  wish  and  purpose  to  hold  indi- 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  199 

viduals  responsible  for  their  own  acts,  -wdthout  any  reference  to  the  fact  that 
they  happened  to  be  members  or  officers  of  particular  Churches ;  that  the 
fact  of  being  a  member  or  pastor  of  a  Church  was  no  excuse  for  personal 
misdemeanors ;  but  that  he  never  intended  to  assume,  or  permit  his 
subordinate  officers  to  assume,  any  power  to  govern  or  control  the  Churches, 
or  in  any  manner  to  determine  who  may  and  who  may  not  preach  or  minister 
in  them. 

You  say  that  you  are  in  the  full  fruition  of  your  civil  rights,  and  the  Presi- 
dent considers  you  as  free  in  the  enjoyment  of  your  ecclesiastical  rights. 

I  write  this  with  the  express  permission  of  the  President,  and  I  presume 
to  advise  that  you  quietly  resume  the  exercise  of  all  the  rights,  duties  and 
functions  of  your  office,  as  if  no  interruption  had  occurred. 

It  is  time  to  give  the  famous  letter  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  which,  it 
now  appears,  was  written  and  forwarded  to  Mr.  Filley  previous 
to  that  interview  of  Judge  Bates  with  the  President  alluded  to 
by  the  former  in  his  communication  to  Dr.  McPheeters,  dated 
December  31. 

President  Lincoln,  on  December  22,  1S63,  wrote  directly  to 
O.  D.  Filley : 

I  have  just  looked  over  a  petition,  signed  by  some  three  dozen  citizens  of 
St.  Louis,  and  the  accompanying  letters — one  by  yourself,  one  by  a  Mr. 
Nathan  Raimey  and  one  by  a  Mr.  John  D.  Coalter,  the  whole  relating  to 
Rev.  Dr.  McPheeters.  The  petition  prays,  in  the  name  of  justice  and 
mercy,  that  I  will  restore  Dr.  McPheeters  to  all  his  ecclesiastical  rights. 
This  gives  no  intimation  as  to  what  ecclesiastical  rights  are  withheld.  Your 
letter  states  that  Provost- Marshal  Dick,  about  a  year  ago,  ordered  the  arrest 
of  Dr.  McPheeters,  pastor  of  the  Pine  Street  Church,  prohibited  him  from 
officiating,  and  placed  the  management  of  the  affairs  of  his  Church  out  of 
the  control  of  its  chosen  trustees ;  and,  near  the  close,  you  state  that  a 
certain  course  "would  insure  his  release."  Mr.  Ranney's  letter  says: 
*'Dr.  Sam'l.  McPheetei'S  is  enjoying  all  the  rights  of  a  civihan,  but  he  can 
not  preach  the  gospel."  Mr.  Coalter,  in  his  letter,  asks:  "Is  it  not  a 
strange  illustration  of  the  condition  of  things,  that  the  question  of  who 
shall  be  allowed  to  preach  in  a  Church  in  St.  Louis  shall  be  decided  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States  /"  Now,  all  this  sounds  very  strangely  ;  and 
^vithal,  a  little  as  if  you  gentlemen  making  the  application  do  not  understand 


^OO  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

•the  case  alike — one  affirming  that  the  Dr.  is  enjoying  all  the  rights  of  a 
-civilian,  and  another  pointing  out  to  me  what  will  secure  his  release.  On 
•the  2d  of  January  last  I  wrote  to  General  Curtis  in  relation  to  Mr.  Dick's 
'Order  upon  Dr.  McPheeters,  and,  as  I  suppose,  the  Dr.  is  enjoying  all  the 
rights  of  a  civilian,  I  only  quote  that  part  of  my  letter  which  relates  to  the 
Church.  It  is  as  follows ;  "  But  I  must  add  that  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment must  not,  as  by  this  order,  undertake  to  run  the  Churches.  When 
an  individual  in  the  Chnrch  or  out  of  it  becomes  dangerous  to  the  public 
interest,  he  must  be  checked,  but  the  Churches,  as  such,  must  take  care  of 
themselves.  It  will  not  do  for  the  United  States  to  appoint  trustees,  super- 
visors or  other  agents  for  the  Churches."  This  letter,  going  to  General 
Curtis,  then  in  command  there,  I  supposed,  of  course,  it  was  obeyed, 
especially  as  I  heard  no  further  complaint  from  Dr.  McPheeters  or  his 
friends  for  nearly  an  entire  year.  I  have  never  interfered,  nor  thought  of 
interfering,  as  to  who  shall  or  shall  not  preach  in  any  Church ;  nor  have  I 
knowingly  or  believingly  tolerated  any  one  else  to  so  interfere  by  my 
authority.  If  any  one  is  so  interfering,  by  color  of  my  authority,  I  would 
like  to  have  it  specifically  made  known  to  me.  If,  after  all,  what  is  now 
sought,  is  to  have  me  put  Dr.  McPheeters  back  over  the  heads  of  a  majority 
of  his  own  congregation,  that,  too,  will  be  declined.  I  will  not  have  control 
of  any  Church  on  any  side. 

The  letter  that  follows  will  illustrate  still  further  how  Dr. 
McPheeters  contended  for  principle,  and  only  principle, 
throughout.  Writing  from  St.  Louis,  on  17th  of  February, 
1864,  to  Rev.  A.  Munson,  he  says  : 

I  thank  you  for  your  very  kind  letters,  M-hich  pressing  engagements  have 
prevented  me  from  answering  until  now.  Mr.  Lincoln  repudiated  the  whole 
action  of  the  military  toward  me  :  said  he  never  sanctioned  it  nor  allowed  it 
to  be  done.  This  settles  the  matter,  as  far  as  the  civil  authorities  were  con- 
cerned. The  matter  has  yet  to  go  through  the  ecclesiastical  courts.  There 
is  an  appeal  now  pending  before  the  Synod  of  Missouri.  I  hope  you  will 
be  there  to  hear  and  help  decide  the  matter.  I  should  not  be  surprised  if 
Strong  sent  up  a  memorial  to  the  next  General  Assembly  on  the  matter. 
But  I  do  not  beUeve  he  can  do  any  thing  there.  He  is  becoming  weaker 
and  weaker.  The  prominent  men  who  acted  with  him  have  taken  pews  in 
the  New  School  Church;  and  one,  who  was  his  main  stay,  has  begun  a 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  201 

Mission  Church,  and  will  not,  I  think,  give  any  more  trouble,  and  will, 
probably,  carry  off  some  fifteen  or  twenty  with  him  of  the  disaffected.  I 
have  contended  throughout  only  for  two  principles — 

1.  That  a  minister  is  not  bound  to  answer  political  questions  propounded 
to  him  by  members  of  his  Church. 

2.  That  the  State  has  no  right  to  control  the  worship  of  the  Church. 
On  both  of  these  points  I  expect  to  stand.     I  have  yielded  no  point,  and 

intend  to  yield  none,   God  being  my  help  and  strength. 

I  greatly  need  the  grace  and  wisdom  that  come  from  above  that  I  may  do 
right  and  be  right.     My  brother,  pray  for  me. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE    NEWARK    ASSEMBLY SPEECH    OF    HON.    W.  T.  WOOD. 

On  December  22, 1863,  all  military  disabilities  were  removed, 
and  in  January,  1864,  Dr.  McPheeters,  at  the  earnest  solicitation 
of  a  large  majority  of  the  Pine  Street  congregation,  resumed 
labor  again  among  the  people  of  his  charge.  The  reasons  for 
this  step  are  fully  set  forth  in  his  speech  before  the  Assembly  in 
Newark,  which  the  reader  will  find  in  a  subsequent  chapter. 
There  was  now  a  promise  of  quiet  and  usefulness.  For  twelve 
months  and  more  the  character  of  the  Pastor  had  been  held 
upon  the  rack,  and  yet  not  a  witness  could  be  found  to  testify 
to  one  single  deed  of  unfaithfulness  either  to  Christ  or  the  Gov- 
ernment ;  and  in  the  present  aspect  of  the  case  it  did,  indeed, 
appear  improbable  that  malignity  itself  would  persecute  any 
longer.  But  at  the  spring  meeting  of  St.  Louis  Presbytery, 
held  at  Kirkwood,  April  9,  a  memorial,  signed  by  Elder  George 
P.  Strong  and  eight  others,  asked  Presbytery  to  prohibit  Dr. 
McPheeters  from  preaching  in  Pine  Street  Church. 

Caesar,  as  we  have  seen,  called  for  water  and  washed  his 
hands;  but  although  the  President  positively  decided  not  to 
"  run  the  churches,"  it  was  not  yet  determined  by  ecclesiastical 
courts  not  to  run  the  State.  Accordingly  the  memorial  of 
Strong  and  others  was  entertained.  Against  this  action  of  the 
Presbytery  two  complaints  were  made  to  the  Assembly.  After 
so  long  a  time,  when  the  Assembly  met  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  May, 
1864,  Dr.  McPheeters,  m  company  with  his  Elder,  Hon.  Wm. 
T.  Wood,  stood  up  before  the  Ecclesiastical  Court  to  sustain  a 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  203 

complaint  against  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis.  Judge  Wood 
spoke  first,  and  his  speech  was  preceded  by  the  following  pre- 
liminary remarks : 

A  very  brief  statement  of  the  several  steps  in  the  history  of  this  case  is 
necessary  to  a  clear  understanding  of  the  form  in  which  it  came  before  the 
General  Assembly.  From  the  19th  of  December,  1862,  to  the  22d  of  Decem- 
ber, 1863,  Dr.  McPheeters,  Pastor  of  Pine  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  St. 
Louis,  !Mo. ,  was  prohibited  by  military  authority  from  exercising  the  func- 
tions of  his  ministry  in  Missouri.  During  this  time,  to-wit :  on  the  15th  of 
May,  1863,  a  pro-re-nata  meeting  of  St.  Louis  Presbytery  was  called  to 
dissolve  the  pastoral  relation.  The  relation  was  dissolved  by  another /r^- 
re-nata  meeting,  which  convened  the  June  following.  Against  this  action  of 
Presbytery  complaint  was  made — an  appeal  taken  to  the  Synod  of  Missouri 
by  W.  W.  Greene,  an  Elder  of  Pine  Street  Church,  representing  that  Church 
in  Presbytery.  Synod  met  in  October  of  the  same  year,  received  the  com- 
plaint and  appeal,  declared  it  to  be  in  order,  and  for  reasons  given  did  not 
issue  it,  but  put  it  on  its  docket  to  be  tried  at  its  next  meeting,  to  be  held  in 
October,  1864.  The  military  disabihty  of  Dr.  McPheeters  having  been  re- 
moved December  22,  1863,  in  January,  1864,  he,  assuming  that  the  appeal 
which  Synod  had  received,  declared  to  be  in  order  and  docketed  for  trial, 
arrested  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation  until  the  case  was  issued, 
and  being  invited  by  the  Standing  Committee  of  Pine  Street  Church  to 
procure  supplies,  preached  statedly  for  the  congregation. 

At  the  spring  meeting  of  Presbytery,  held  last  April,  a  memorial,  signed 
by  nine  members  of  Pine  Street  Church,  was  laid  before  that  body,  ask- 
ing Presbytery  to  prohibit  Dr.  McPheeters  from  preaching  in  Pine  Street 
Church.  This  memorial  Presbytery  spread  upon  its  records,  and  passed 
resolutions  in  accordance  with  the  request  of  the  memorialists.  Against  this 
action  two  complaints  were  made  to  the  General  Assembly — one  by  six  of 
the  seven  Elders  of  Pine  Street  Church,  which  complaint  was  represented  by 
Hon.  Wm.  T.  Wood,  one  of  the  complainants,  and  the  other  by  Dr. 
McPheeters.  A  memorial  was  also  sent  up  to  the  Assembly,  signed  by  a 
majority  of  the  ministers  and  sessions  of  St.  Louis  Presbytery,  upon  the 
same  subject.  This  memorial  was  placed  with  the  other  papers  in  the  hands 
of  the  Judicial  Committee,  and  was  by  them  reported  to  the  Assembly. 
And,  while  it  was  not  read  before  the  body,  it  was  referred  to  and  freely 
quoted  in  debate,  and  as  it  gives  the  view  of  the  majority  of  St  Louis  Pres- 


204  MEiMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

bytery  on  the  whole  case,  it  is  printed  with  the  other  documents.  The 
minutes  of  the  Presbytery  here  presented  are  those  of  the  Judicial  Com- 
mittee, and  read  before  the  Assembly,  but  other  parts  of  the  minutes  were 
not  only  used  in  debate,  but  are  referred  to  in  the  final  action  of  the  Assem- 
bly; and  some  things  are  also  stated  in  the  action  of  the  Assembly  which 
no  where  appear  on  the  minutes.  As  the  grounds  of  complaint  are  substan- 
tially stated  in  the  arguments  of  Judge  Wood  and  Dr.  McPheeters,  it  has 
not  been  thought  necessary  to  give  them  in  full.  The  object  of  this  publi- 
cation being  to  give  the  speeches  of  the  complainants,  the  documents  should, 
in  strict  propriety,  be  added  as  an  appendix,  but  for  the  convenience  of  the 
reader  they  are  here  placed  in  the  order  he  would  naturally  desire  to  read 
them.  By  the  decision  of  the  Moderator,  Mr.  Strong,  although  not  a 
member  of  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis,  nor  appointed  by  them  to  defend 
their  action,  nor,  as  far  as  appeared,  appointed  by  any  one  else,  was  admit- 
ted as  one  of  the  "original  parties,"  apparently  on  the  ground  that  he  was 
one  of  the  minority  of  Pine  Street  Church  who  presented  the  memorial  to 
St.  Louis  Presbytery  which  gave  rise  to  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  about 
which  complaint  was  made. 

EXTRACT  FROM  MINUTES  OF  PRESBYTERY  READ  BEFORE  THE 
ASSEMBLY. 

KiRKWooD,  April  9,  1864. 

The  Clerk  received  a  memorial  from  members  of  Pine  Street  Church, 
complaining  of  the  action  of  Dr.  McPheeters  and  asking  for  relief,  as  follows : 
To  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis  : 

Respected  Brethren  :  The  undersigned  would  respectfully  represent, 
that  within  the  last  two  or  three  months  the  Rev.  Dr.  S.  B.  McPheeters 
has  resumed  the  duties  of  the  pastoral  office  in  Pine  Street  Church,  notwith- 
standing his  formal  dismission  from  that  office,  at  his  own  request,  by  the 
action  of  Presbytery  in  June  last.  Your  memorialists  are  members  of  Pine 
Street  Church,  and  heads  of  families  connected  with  that  Church,  and  are 
very  desirous  that  such  measures  should  be  taken  with  reference  to  it  as  will 
tend  to  heal  the  divisions  now  existing  and  permit  all  its  members  to  enjoy 
their  accustomed  privileges.  There  are  now  nearly  a  hundred  members  of 
that  Church,  beside  others  who  have  been  attendants  there,  who  have  been 
constrained  to  withdraw  their  confidence  from  Dr.  McPheeters  in  consequence 
of  the  course  he  has  pursued  upon  the  subject  of  the  existing  rebelHon — who 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  205 

are  unwilling  to  have  him  as  their  minister.  They  believe  the  Presbytery 
acted  wisely  and  considered  the  true  interest  of  the  Church  when  it  dissolved 
the  pastoral  relation  between  that  Church  and  Dr.  McPheeters,  and  that  if 
Dr.  McPheeters  had  submitted  to  the  action  of  Presbytery  and  retired  from 
all  connection  with  Pine  Street  Church,  instead  of  encouraging  a  revolu- 
tionary and  contumacious  spirit,  by  gathering  around  him  a  portion  of  that 
Church,  and  by  persisting  in  attempting  to  fill  the  pastoral  office  after  his 
regular  dismission,  there  would  at  once  have  sprung  up  a  better  and  more 
Christian  spirit,  and  the  great  majority  of  both  parties  in  the  Church  would 
now  be  worshiping  together  in  comparative  harmony  and  peace.  They  be- 
lieve that  Dr.  McPheeters'  usefulness  in  that  Church  is  at  an  end,  and  that 
whatever  accessions  may  be  made  to  it  under  his  leadership  will  result  more 
from  a  design  to  aid  in  a  party  triumph  than  from  any  desire  to  build  up  the 
Church  of  Christ,  and  that  a  blessing  can  not  be  expected  upon  the  labors 
of  a  minister  whose  presence  drives  from  the  Church  and  from  the  com- 
munion table  nearly  a  hundred  members  of  the  regular  communicants. 

Your  memorialists  deny  the  right  of  Dr.  McPheeters  or  any  portion  of 
Pine  Street  Church  to  insist  that  he  only  minister  there,  and  all  who  are  not 
satisfied  with  that  arrangement  shall  leave  the  Church,  after  the  Presbytery, 
upon  a  full  and  mature  deliberation,  has  decided  that  the  interest  of  that 
Church  will  be  best  promoted  by  a  change  of  pastors.  Wherefore  your 
memorialists  respectfully  pray  that  such  action  may  be  taken  in  the  premises 
as  to  compel  Dr.  McPheeters  to  respect  the  decision  of  Presbytery  and 
retire  from  Pine  Street  Church,  and  that  such  other  relief  may  be  afforded 
as  to  your  body  may  seem  meet  and  proper. 

(Signed,)  George  P.  Strong,  Thomas  Morrison,  H.  B.  Graham,  John  S. 
Thompson,  S.  D.  Mitchell,'  James  M.  Corbitt,  John  Ifinger,  Richard 
Holmes,  John  DevHn. 

Elder  George  P.  Strong,  of  Pme  Street  Church,  being  present  in  the 
house,  was  invited  to  address  Presbytery  on  the  subject.  Elds.  Edwards 
and  King,  members  of  the  Standing  Committee  on  Pine  Street  Church, 
being  called  upon,  addressed  Presbytery  as  to  the  eff'orts  which  had  been 
made  to  reconcile  the  difficulties  in  that  Church. 

The  following  was  moved  by  the  Rev.  H.  I.  Coe : 

Resolved,  That  the  memorial  of  a  number  of  members  of  Pine  Street 
Presbyterian  Church  be  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  of  Presbytery 


2o6  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

on  the  affairs  of  that  Church,  with  instructions  to  report  at  a  called  or  at 
the  next  regular  meeting  of  Presbytery,  as  they  deem  expedient. 

Pending  the  discussion  of  the  resolution,  Rev.  J.  J.  Porter  moved  the 
following  substitute.  The  memorial  of  certain  members  of  Pine  Street 
Church  having  been  presented,  after  discussion,  it  was  resolved  as  follows : 

1.  By  action  of  Presbytery  of  June,  1863,  the  pastoral  relation  between 
Dr.  McPheeters  and  Pine  Sti-eet  Church  was  dissolved,  and  Dr.  McPheeters 
ceased  to  be  the  pastor  of  that  Church,  and  ceased  to  have  the  right  to  ex- 
ercise discipline  or  perform  the  functions  of  the  pastoral  office  in  that  Church. 

2.  That  inasmuch  as  this  action  was  taken  by  Presbytery  in  the  exercise 
of  its  power  to  ordain  whatever  pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the 
Churches  under  their  care,  and  its  solemn  judgment  that  the  interests  of 
Pine  Street  Church  require  that  Dr.  McPheeters  shall  cease  to  exercise  the 
functions  of  minister  to  that  Church ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  Presbytery  learns  with  regret  that  Dr.  McPheeters  is  still 
officiating  as  minister  in  that  Church,  whether  by  invitation  of  Session  or  at 
his  own  instance  is  not  known  to  Presbytery ;  but  in  either  case  they  do 
hereby  ordain  and  declare  that,  in  the  judgment  of  this  Presbytery,  the  peace 
and  harmony  and  spiritual  interest  of  Pine  Street  Church,  as  well  as  a  proper 
respect  for  the  feelings  of  a  large  minority  opposed  to  the  ministrations  of 
their  former  pastor,  require  that  Dr.  McPheeters  shall  cease  all  connection 
with  that  Church  and  no  longer  attempt  to  minister  to  that  congregation. 

Passed,  and  the  stated  clerk  was  directed  to  furnish  a  copy  of  this  action 
to  Dr.  McPheeters  and  to  the  Session  of  Pine  Street  Church. 

EXTRACT    FROM    THE    MINUTES    OF   THE    SYNOD    OF    MISSOURI,    SESSION 
OCTOBER,    1863,    READ   BEFORE   THE   ASSEMBLY. 

The  Judicial  Committee  made  the  following  report:  That  "  there  has  been 
placed  in  their  hands  an  appeal  and  complaint  to  Synod  against  the  action 
of  the  special  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis,  convened  in  the  city 
of  St.  Louis,  on  the  22dof  June,  1863,  which  closed  its  session  on  the  27th 
June,  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relations  between  Rev.  S.  B.  INIcPheeters 
and  the  Pine  Street  Church,  they  find  the  said  appeal  and  complaint  in 
order,  but  inasmuch  as  persons  interested  in  the  case,  and  who  desire  to  be 
present  when  the  case  is  issued,  are  not  able  to  be  present  at  this  time,  they 
recommend  that  the  case  be  referred  to  the  next  Synod."  Accepted  and 
adopted. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  207 

Memorial  of  a  Majority  of  the  AI misters  and  Elders  of  St.  Louis  Pres- 
bytery to  the  General  Assemhjy  of  the  Pi-esbyterian  Ch2i7rh,  convened  in 
A'ezuark,  N.  J.,  May,  1864. 

The  undersigned,  constituting  a  majority  of  the  ministers  and  ruHng 
Elders  in  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis,  respectfully  memorialize  your  ven- 
erable body  touching  the  action  of  said  Presbytery  in  relation  to  Rev. 
Samuel  B.  McPheeters,  D.  D.,  and  the  Pine  Street  Church. 

The  anomaly  thus  exhibited— of  a  majority  presenting  a  memorial  con- 
cerning the  proceedings  of  those  who,  when  assembled  in  an  ecclesiastical 
court,  form  a  minority  of  the  members  entitled  to  a  seat  in  the  body — will 
be  subsequently  explained. 

Your  memorialists  desire  nothing  more  than  to  present  a  brief  history  of 
the  case  upon  which  they  seek,  from  the  General  Assembly,  an  expression 
of  opinion,  feeling  assured  that  a  simple  statement  of  facts  will  meet  all  the 
ends  contemplated  in  laying  this  paper  before  the  highest  judicatory  of  our 
Church . 

The  history,  which  we  deem  essential  to  a  clear  understanding  ot  the 
troubles  that  have  arisen  among  us,  is  compiled  from  the  records  of  the 
inferior  judicatories ;  and  only  when  those  records  are  manifestly  imperfect 
do  we  dex-ive  our  narrative  from  other  sources  of  information  known  to  be 
entirely  reliable. 

Your  attention,  then,  is  called,  in  the  first  place,  to  the  proceedings  of 
Presbytery,  at  a  meeting  held  in  St.  Louis,  on  the  15th  of  May,  1863,  for 
the  purposes  mentioned  in  the  following  minute : 

"A  special  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis  being  called  by  the 
Moderator,  on  the  request  ot  James  A.  Paige,  S.  Pettigiew,  J.  J.  Porter, 
(ministers) ;  Wyllys  King,  J.  C.  Havens,  C.  Sage  (Elders  of  the  Union 
Church) ;  and  Geo.  P.  Strong  (Elder  of  Pine  Street  Church),  to  be  held 
on  the  15th  of  May,  at  8  o'clock,  p.  m.,  in  the  Union  Church,  St.  Louis, 
to  take  measures  to  remove  the  grievances  under  which  Pine  Street  Church 
has  been  laboring  for  some  months  past,  and  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  rela- 
tion between  that  Church  and  Rev.  Samuel  B.  McPheeters,  D.  D.,  and,  in 
general,  to  take  such  action  as  the  interests  of  that  Church  may  seem  to 
require ;  and,  in  view  of  the  renewed  attempt  to  overthrow  the  Government 
in  Missouri,  to  take  such  action  as  will  warn  and  dissuade  the  members  of 
our  various  Churches  from  engaging  in  and  encouraging  the  sin  of  rebellion 


208  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

against  the  Civil  Government  of  the  State  and  nation.     Presbytery  met 

accordingly,"  &c. 

Your  memorialists  ask  the  Assembly  to  notice  the  peculiar  phraseology 

of  the  call  upon  which  the  Presbytery  convened.  It  is  not  to  dissolve  the 
pastoral  relation  between  Dr.  McPheeters  and  the  Pine  Street  Church — 
if  the  way  be  clear,  or  if  the  interests  of  the  Church  demand  the  dissolution 
— ^but  it  is  "to  dissolve  the  relation,"  thereby  conclusively  proving  the  fixed 
purpose  and  foregone  conclusion  of  those  who  drew  up  the  call  to  do  that 
thing  in  any  event.  We,  also,  ask  you  to  notice  that  there  is  not  one  word 
on  record  to  indicate  that  even  the  minority  in  Pine  Street  Church,  who 
opposed  Dr.  McPheeters,  either  requested  or  desired  the  Presbytery  to 
convene  for  any  such  purpose.  Suddenly  and  unexpectedly,  and  but  a  few 
days  after  the  regular  spring  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  when,  as  the  records 
show,  the  affairs  of  Pine  Street  Church  were  under  consideration,  the  Mod- 
erator issues  a  call  for  a  pro-re-7iata  meeting,  signed  by  three  ministers, 
two  of  whom  have  no  pastoral  charge ;  by  three  ruling  Elders,  all  belong- 
ing to  one  Church ;  and  by  one  ruling  Elder  of  Pine  Street  Church ;  and 
the  object  of  that  meeting,  it  is  plainly  stated,  is  to  dissolve  the  pastoral 
relation  between  Dr.  McPheeters  and  his  people. 

Now,  your  memorialists  assert,  without  fear  of  contradiction,  that  no 
reasons  existed  for  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation  on  the  15th  of 
May  which  did  not  exist  at  the  time  of  the  regular  meeting  of  Presbytery, 
but  a  little  while  before.  But  if  the  General  Assembly  will  keep  in  mind 
that  there  was  unusual  excitement  in  the  community  (as,  indeed,  the  call 
upon  which  the  Presbytery  met  intimates),  and  that  this  excitement, 
naturally,  prevented  a  large  attendance  of  the  members,  the  true  cause 
of  the  hasty  action  of  Presbytery  will,  possibly,  be  disclosed.  Dr.  Mc- 
Pheeters was  forbidden,  by  military  authority,  to  appear  for  his  defense  or 
for  one  word  of  explanation;  any  expression  of  sympathy  with  him, 
although  based  on  purely  ecclesiastical  or  conscientious  grounds,  was 
regarded  with  suspicion  and  attended  by  danger;  and  hence,  as  the  vote 
upon  an  important  resolution  shows,  but  sixteen  out  of  nearly  sixty  minis- 
ters and  rilling  Elders  were  present  to  do  what  it  was  declared  in  the  call 
they  were  determined  to  do — to-wit :  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation. 

For  reasons  which  were  stated  to  Presbytery  at  a  subsequent  meeting, 
but  which  were  refused  a  place  upon  the  records.  Dr.  McPheeters  felt  con- 
strained to  put  his  resignation  into  the  hands  of  Presbytery,  and  thereupon 
it  was 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  209r 

*'  Resolved,  That  Pine  Street  Church  and  congregation  be  cited  to  appear, 
by  their  commissioners,  before  Presbytery,  on  Wednesday,  the  3d  of  June, 
at  8  o'clock,  p.  m.,  in  the  Pine  Street  Church,  to  respond  to  the  resignation 
of  their  pastor.  Rev.  S.  B.  McPheeters,  D.  D.  ;  and  to  this  end  they  are 
hereby  directed  to  meet  on  Wednesday  evening,  the  27th  inst.,  to  take 
action  in  the  premises." 

In  accordance  with  the  foregoing  order,  a  meeting  of  Pine  Street  Church 
was  held  on  Wednesday  evening,  the  27th  of  May,  1863,  and  was  moderated 
by  Rev.  James  H.  Brookes.  After  considerable  discussion  upon  various 
motions,  W.  W.  Greene,  ruling  Elder  in  Pine  Street  Church,  offered  the 
following  resolution : 

'■^Resolved,  That  this  meeting  do  not  agree  to,  and  protest  against  the 
dissolution  of  the  existing  relation  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  B.  McPheeters, 
as  pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church,  and  that  we  request  him  to  withdraw  his 
resignation  offered  to  St.  Louis  Presbytery." 

The  ayes  and  noes  being  called,  the  vote,  as  the  record  shows,  resulted 
as  follows:  Ninety-one  (91)  were  in  favor  of  Mr.  Greene's  resolution; 
fifty-six  (56)  were  opposed. 

At  this  juncture,  as  the  records  both  of  Presbytery  (see  page  104)  and  of 
the  Pine  Street  Church  further  show,  a  majority  having  left  the  house  near 
the  hour  of  midnight,  and,  upon  the  introduction,  by  Mr.  Strong,  of  matters 
w^hoUy  foreign  to  the  expressed  object  of  the  meeting,  the  minority  there- 
upon proceeded  to  elect  Mr.  Strong  as  the  commissioner  to  represent  the 
Church  in  Presbytery,  and  instructed  him  to  urge  the  dissolution  of  the 
pastoral  relation,  in  the  very  face  of  the  resolution  just  adopted  by  an  over- 
whelming majority. 

The  Presbytery  met,  according  to  adjournment,  in  Pine  Street  Church,  June 
3,  1863,  and  Geoge  P.  Strong  was  recognized  as  the  properly  appointed  Com- 
missioner of  the  Church.  A  question  at  once  arose  concerning  the  meaning 
of  the  phrase,  "at  their  next  meeting,"  in  Chapter  XVII,  Form  of  Govern- 
ment, which  says  "Presbytery  shall  cite  the  congregation  to  appear,  by  their 
Commissioners,  at  their  next  meeting,  to  show  cause,  if  any  they  have,  why 
the  Presbytery  should  not  accept  the  resignation."  It  was  held  by  some 
that  an  adjourned  meeting  is  not  "the  next  meeting"  in  the  sense  of  the 
Book,  and  hence,  on  the  evening  of  June  4,  1863,  the  following  paper, 
offered  by  Rev.  J,  H.  Brookes,  was  adopted : 

"In  view  of  the  fact  that  considerable  doubt  exists  concerning  the  consti- 

14 


2IO  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

tutional  right  of  Presbytery,  at  its  present  session,  to  issue  the  matters  con- 
nected with  Pine  Street  Church, 

Resolved,  That  Presbytery,  after  approving  their  minutes,  adjourn,  in 
order  that  opportunity  may  be  afforded  for  calUng  another  pro-re-nata  meet- 
ing of  this  body." 

Presbytery  accordingly  adjourned,  and  a  call  was  immediately  issued  for  a 
meeting  to  be  held  in  the  same  place  June  23,  1863. 

On  the  evening  of  June  22,  1863,  a  meeting  of  Pine  Street  Church  and 
congregation  was  held,  called  by  order  of  the  Session  of  said  Church,  and 
Moderated  by  Rev.  James  H.  Brookes.  At  this  meeting  the  following  reso- 
lution, offered  by  Hon.  W.  T.  Wood,  Ruling  Elder  in  Pine  Street  Church, 
was  adopted,  as  the  records  show  (see  page  106),  by  a  large  majority  of  the 
members  of  the  Church : 

"Whereas,  At  a  meeting  on  the  27th  of  May,  1863,  at  a  late  hour  of 
the  night,  after  a  vote  had  been  taken  in  full  meeting  of  ninety-one  (91)  to 
fifty-six  (56)  against  the  resignation  of  Dr.  S.  B.  McPheeters,  Pastor  of  the 
Church,  and  against  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation,  and  after  a 
majority  of  the  members  had  left  and  gone  home,  as  it  appears  by  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  persons  who  remained,  it  was  resolved  that  this  meeting 
now  appoint  a  commissioner  to  represent  this  Church  in  Presbytery,  and 
that  he  be  instructed  to  urge  Presbytery  to  accept  Dr.  McPheeters'  resigna- 
tion, and  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation  between  him  and  Pine  Street 
Church ;  and, 

"Whereas,  The  resolution  was  offered  and  passed  without  even  a  motion 
to  reconsider  the  vote  that  had  been  taken  and  entered  on  the  subject,  in  vio- 
lation of  all  rule  and  order,  and  against  the  known  voice  of  the  Church  and 
congregation ;  therefore, 

^^ Resolved,  That  said  resolution  does  not  express  the  voice  and  wishes  of 
Pine  Street  Church  and  congregation ;  and,  further, 

^^  Resolved,  That  the  true  voice  of  the  Church  and  congregation  was 
expressed  in  the  resolution  adopted  at  that  meeting,  on  motion  of  Captain 
Greene ;  and  unless  George  P.  Strong,  as  the  Commissioner  from  this  con- 
gregation, can  and  will,  in  good  faith,  present  and  urge  upon  Presbytery  the 
voice  and  wishes  of  the  congregation  as  expressed  in  the  resolution  adopted 
on  the  motion  of  Captain  Greene,  on  a  fair  vote  of  91  to  56,  he  be  requested 
to  resign  his  trust  as  Commissioner." 

Presbytery  met  on  the  next  evening,  June  23,  but,  notwithstanding  the 
earnest  protest  of  this  injured  Church,  Mr.  George  P.  Strong  was  recog- 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.   D.  211 

nized  as  its  Commisioner,  and  was  permitted,  as  the  minutes  show,  to  make 
two  speeches  against  his  Pastor,  who  was  7iot  permitted  to  appear  in  answer 
to  his  accuser.  Nay,  insult  was  added  to  injury,  for  we  find  in  the  records 
of  Presbytery  the  following  minutes :  "  Mr.  Strong  having  concluded,  // 
luas  moved  that  the  7-eq2iest  of  Pine  Street  Chtirch  be  granted^  and  the  pas- 
toral relation  dissolved."  Now,  Presbytery  well  knew  that  Pine  Street 
Church  had  made  no  such  request,  unless,  indeed,  one  Ruling  Elder  out  of 
seven  that  constituted  the  Session,  and  fifty-six  members  out  of  one  hundred 
and  forty-seven,  who  were  present,  by  some  curious  mode  of  reasoning, 
were  reckoned  as  the  Church.  But  the  minute  goes  on  to  say:  "Pending 
this  motion,  Rev.  J.  H.  Brookes  asked  leave  to  read  a  paper  from  Rev.  Dr. 
McPheeters.  The  leave  was  granted,  and  the  paper  was  heard.  Rev.  Dr. 
McPheeters  having  asked  leave  to  withdraxv  his  resignation  already  put  in 
the  hands  of  Presbytery,  and  that  the  whole  paper  be  spread  on  the  records, 
it  was,  on  motion  of  Elder  A.  G.  Edwards, 

^^ Resolved,  That  Rev.  Dr.  McPheeters  have  leave  to  withdraw ///>  paper 
just  presented. 

"The  motion  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation  recurring,  .  .  .  G.  P. 
Strong,  Esq.,  Commissioner  from  Pine  Street  Church,  took  the  floor  and 
pressed  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation  between  that  Church  and 

Rev.  Dr.  McPheeters.     Mr.  Strong  having  concluded, the 

previous  question  was  now  called  for  and  carried.  The  main  question,  viz. : 
the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation,  then  being  put,  the  ayes  and  noes 
were  called  for.     The  vote  resulted  as  follows  : 

"Ayes — ^Jos.  F.  Fenton,  H.  Blackwell,  J.  J.  Porter,  S.  K.  Snead,  Thomas 
Cole,  Joseph  Marr,  S.  Pettigrew,  J.  A.  Paige  (Ministers);  and  Wyllys 
King,  A.  G.  Edwards,  Edward  Ilsley  (Elders). 

Noes— J.  N.  Gilbraith,  J.  H.  Brookes^  W.  H.  Parks,  A.  D.  Madeira, 
H.  F.  Albright  (Ministers);  William  Risley,  W.  W.  Greene,  Joseph  Con- 
way  and  E.  Jaccard  (Elders)." 

Your  memorialists  ask  the  General  Assembly  to  observe  in  this  extra- 
ordinary proceeding  on  the  part  of  Presbytery — first,  that  the  plain  letter 
of  the  law  in  Form  of  Government,  Chapter  XXII,  which  says,  "the 
Presbytery  shall  cite  the  congregation  to  appear,  by  their  commissioners,  at 
their  next  meeting,  to  show  cause,  if  any  they  have,  why  the  Presbytery 
should  not  accept  the  resignation,"  was  grossly  ^aolated.  The  Church  did 
not  appear  by  their  commissioners,  and  were  not,  therefore,  permitted, 
much  as  they  desired  it,   to  show  cause  why  the  resignation  should  not  be 


212  MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

accepted.  Second,  George  P.  Strong  was  allowed,  not  to  represent,  but 
totally  to  misrepresent  the  known  wishes  of  the  Church,  and  to  disobey 
their  positive  order,  which  required  him  to  resign  his  trust  as  commissioner, 
if  he  could  not,  "in  good  faith,  present  and  urge  upon  Presbytery  the  voice 
and  wishes  of  the  congregation,  as  expressed  in  the  resolution  adopted  on 
the  motion  of  Captain  Greene  on  a  fair  vote  of  ninety-one  to  fifty-six." 
Third,  the  resolution  adopted  by  the  Presbytery,  and  upon  \*  hich  the  final 
vote  was  taken,  was  '^that  the  request  of  Pine  Street  Church  be  granted, 
and  the  pastoral  relation  dissolved;"  although  Presbytery  knew  that  this 
resolution  was  directly  contrary  to  the  facts  in  the  case  and  to  the  voice  of 
the  Church,  as  expressed  in  two  meetings.  Fourth,  Dr.  McPheeters,  in 
accordance  v/ith  the  urgent  request  of  his  Church,  asked  leave  to  withdraw 
his  resignation,  also  assigned  reasons  why  he  had  felt  constrained  not  to  offer, 
but  simply  to  put  his  resignation  into  the  hands  of  Presbytery;  but  the 
paper  which  he  presented  was  refused  a  place  on  the  records,  although 
Presbytery  knew  that  this  was  the  only  mode  left  him  of  appearing  before 
his  brethren  for  one  word  of  explanation  or  defense.  Fifth,  the  whole  of 
these  remarkable  proceedings,  from  their  commencement  to  their  evil  con- 
summation, took  place  while  Dr.  McPheeters  did  not  have  the  poor  privi- 
lege accorded  to  the  meanest  of  criminals  to  stand  before  the  bar  which 
virtually  tried  and  condemned  him;  and  while,  as  soon  after  appeared,  the 
strong  hand  of  martial  law  was  laid  upon  the  exercise  of  his  ministerial 
functions  without  the  knowledge  or  consent  of  the  highest  authorities  of  the 
and.  Sixth,  in  the  adoption  of  the  final  resolution  to  dissolve  the  pastoral 
relation,  out  of  the  eight  ministers  who  voted  for  it,  but  two  have  a  pastoral 
charge ;  and  only  eleven  Ministers  and  Ruling  Elders  in  all  out  of  about 
sixty  in  full  Presbytery,  sundered  a  relation  which  had  existed  happily  and 
prosperously  for  twelve  years,  and  that,  too,  without  allowing  either  the 
pastor  or  the  commissioners  of  the  Church  to  be  heard. 

Your  memorialists  now  ask  the  attention  of  your  venerable  body  to  the 
origin  of  these  difficulties,  and  to  the  ground  upon  which  the  minority  of 
the  Church  and  the  Presbytery  have  manifestly  and  confessedly  proceeded 
throughout. 

In  a  report  made  to  Presbytery  June  30,  1863,  by  a  committee  "appointed 
to  inquire  fully  into  the  condition  of  Pine  Street  Church,"  you  will  find  the 
following  language,  which  was  received  and  adopted  by  Presbytery  and 
spread  upon  their  records,  and  which,  therefore,  was  accepted  as  a  state- 
ment of  facts  in  the  case  : 


MEPkfOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  213 

"At  the  request  of  your  committee,  the  Ruling  Elders  of  Pine  Street 
Church  came  together  last  evening  (Monday,  June  29),  and  we  held  with 
them  a  full  and  free  conference.  Six  Ruling  Elders  were  present,  embrac- 
ing all  the  members  of  the  Session,  with  the  exception  of  one,  who  was 
prevented  from  meeting  with  us  by  reason  of  advanced  age  and  infirmity. 

"The  conference  was  conducted  with  the  design  to  remove  all  restraint 
from  a  candid  expression  of  opinion,  and  your  committee  beheve  that  in 
arriving  at  the  views  of  the  brethren  who  were  before  us  we  also  arrived  at 
the  \aews  of  the  great  body  of  the  Church,  whose  wishes  they  claimed,  and 
no  doubt  truthfully,  to  represent.  .  .  .  The  committee  gathered  from 
the  conversation  the  following  statement  of  facts,  which  we  think  it  proper 
to  lay  before  you,  in  order  to  aid  the  Presbytery  in  reaching  a  wise  decision 
in  the  premises  : 

"  Until  the  return  of  Dr.  McPheeters,  the  late  pastor  of  the  Church, 
from  the  General  Assembly,  which  met  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  May,  1862, 
Pine  Street  Church,  to  all  appearances  at  least,  was  harmonious  and  happy. 
Soon  after  his  return  a  letter  was  addressed  to  him  by  Mr.  Strong  and  one 
or  two  others,  requesting  an  expression  of  his  opinion  respecting  the  troubles 
now  distracting  our  country.  Dr.  McPheeters  dechned  to  give  the  desired 
expression,  and,  after  some  further  correspondence  and  amid  increasing  ex- 
citement in  the  Church,  he  was  banished  from  the  State  by  the  military  au- 
thorities, in  the  month  of  December,  1862.  The  order  of  banishment  was 
subsequently  so  far  modified  as  to  permit  him  to  remain  in  Missouri,  but 
he  was  not  allowed  to  exercise  the  functions  of  his  ministerial  office.  In 
the  meantime,  two  parties  were  formed  in  the  Church,  which  continue  at 
variance  until  this  day." 

From  the  foregoing  statement  the  General  Assembly  will  perceive  that  in 
the  supposed  disloyalty  of  Dr.  McPheeters  we  are  to  find  the  origin  of  the 
troubles  which  threaten  to  destroy  one  of  our  Churches  and  to  disturb  the 
tranquillity  of  all  our  congregations.  It  will  not  be  asserted  that  any  oppo- 
sition to  him  would  have  arisen  in  his  Church  if  he  had  satisfied  Mr,  Strong 
in  a  pjiblic  7nanner  in  regard  to  his  loyalty.  It  will  not  be  asserted  that 
one  of  the  eleven  Ministers  and  Ruling  Elders  who  voted  for  the  dissolution 
of  the  pastoral  relation  would  have  so  voted  had  he  proclaimed  his  loyalty, 
according  to  their  standard,  in  the  pulpit  or  in  the  daily  journals.  The 
lengthy  addresses  of  Mr.  Strong  in  Presbytery  were  mainly  occupied  with 
the  attempt  to  fasten  on  his  pastor  the  charge  of  disloyalty.  It  was  boldly 
asserted  on  the  floor  of  Presbytery,  by  one  of  the  oldest  ministers,  that  he 


214  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

had  come  determined  to  vote  for  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation  because 
he  believed  Dr.  McPheeters  to  be  a  disloyal  man,  and  it  was  distinctly  pro- 
claimed that  loyalty  was  the  great  question  before  us,  and,  in  effect,  that  at 
such  a  time  exhortations  to  forbearance,  charity  and  brotherly  kindness 
were  worthy  only  of  scorn.  Indeed,  it  will  not  be  denied  before  your  ven- 
erable body  that  the  one  ground  upon  which  the  entire  proceedings  of  the 
minority  of  the  Church  and  of  the  Presbytery  have  been  based  is  the 
assumption  or  belief  that  Dr.  McPheeters  is  not  loyal  to  his  Government. 

Now,  in  relation  to  these  charges  and  insinuations,  that  have  already 
worked  so  much  mischief  among  us,  your  memorialists  beg  leave  to  remind 
the  General  Assembly,  in  the  first  place,  that  we  live  in  a  State  which  has 
been  distracted  by  civil  war,  which  is  even  now  held  within  the  rigorous 
grasp  of  martial  law,  and  in  which,  therefore,  the  whisper  of  an  unknown 
enemy  may  subject  the  private  and  retiring  citizen  to  suspicion,  to  imprison- 
ment, and  to  banishment. 

In  the  second  place.  Dr.  McPheeters  has,  over  and  over,  declared,  in 
private  and  also  in  the  public  prints,  that  his  refusal  to  answer  Mr.  Strong's 
interrogatories  was,  and  is  due  solely  to  a  principle  which  he  holds  to  be 
sacred — namely  :  that,  as  a  viinistcr  of  the  gospel,  he  owes  allegiance  only 
to  the  Lord  Christ,  and  hence  that,  as  such,  he  can  not,  and  will  not,  take 
part  in  civil  strifes  nor  give  expression  to  his  opinions  concerning  purely 
secular  questions.  In  December,  1862,  he  pubhshed  "  A  Card,"  in  which 
the  following  language  is  used :  . 

"  Some  of  the  members  of  my  Church  claim  that,  in  virtue  of  the  relation 
in  which  I  stand  to  them,  as  a  pastor,  they  have  a  right  to  demand,  and 
they  have  demanded,  my  written  opinion  and  personal  opinion  upon  the 
civil  and  political  questions  which  now  agitate  the  nation.  This  claim  of 
right  I  deny,  and  have  felt  bound,  in  duty  and  conscience,  to  resist,  I  did 
\\\\%  ^€i^\:)&x^3XQ\.y,  as  a  matter  of  priiiciple.''''         ... 

"  Again,  I  resisted  because  the  teachings  and  practice  of  my  whole  min- 
isterial life  solemnly  pledged  me  to  resist.  In  all  places  and  at  all  times  I 
have  opposed,  to  the  full  extent  of  my  ability,  the  introduction  of  civil, 
secular  and  political  questions  into  the  house  of  God.  As  a  pastor,  and 
because  I  was  a  pastor,  I  have  stood  aloof  from  these  things,  even  in  my 
private  relations," 

Now,  whether  this  position  is  right  or  wrong,  wise  or  foolish,  your 
memorialists  do  not  undertake  to  decide;  they  only  insist  that  Dr.  Mc- 
Pheeters solemnly  declares  the  motive  which  has  controlled  his  conduct  has 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  215 

had  no  reference  to  either  party  engaged  in  the  present  struggle ;  and  hence 
it  was  exceedingly  uncharitable  in  Presbytery  to  predicate  their  action  upon 
the  presumption  that  a  man  so  well  known  in  the  community,  and  so  uni- 
versally esteemed  hitherto  for  his  integrity  and  piety,  had  studiously 
concealed  the  true  reasons  whiclv  decided  his  course,  and  had  been  gxiilty  of 
falsehood. 

In  the  third  place,  inasmuch  as  Presbytery  practically  adjudged  Dr.  Mc- 
Pheeters  to  be  unworthy  of  his  place  as  pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church, 
because  of  his  supposed  opinions  touching  great  questions  of  State,  and 
inasmuch  as  these  supposed  opinions  constitute,  in  their  judgment,  an 
offense  that  renders  him  a  proper  subject  for  discipline,  your  memorialists 
ask  the  General  Assembly  to  direct  that  Presbytery  proceed  regularly  and 
constitutionally  to  table  charges  against  him,  and  not  to  condemn  him 
unheard.  If  he  had  been  guilty  of  the  gi-ossest  sins  known  in  the  catalogue 
of  crimes,  our  noble  Constitution  requires  that  he  have  a  fair  and  impartial 
hearing ;  how  much  more  so  when  he  asserts  that  the  real  issue  between 
him  and  his  adversaries  has  been  lost  in  the  introduction  of  questions  wholly 
irrelevant  to  the  true  merits  of  the  case. 

In  the  fourth  place,  your  memorialists  would  remind  your  venerable  body 
that  in  Missouri  it  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  determine  what  is,  and  what  is 
not  loyalty,  according  to  any  human  standard.  The  late  Governor  of  the 
State — than  whom  a  purer  patriot  never  lived — was  bitterly  denounced  as 
"disloyal,"  and  the  spotless  beauty  of  his  Christian  character  could  not 
protect  him,  even  in  his  grave,  against  cruel  calumny  and  relentless  detrac- 
tion. The  late  Commanding  General  of  the  Department  of  the  Missouri 
was  constantly  declared  to  be  "disloyal;"  members  of  the  Cabinet  at 
Washington  are  proclaimed,  every  day  among  us,  to  be  "disloyal,"  and 
the  President  of  the  United  States  himself  is  charged  with  being  a  "rebel 
sympathizer,"  who  ought  to  have  been  hanged  long  ago.  In  a  com- 
munity, therefore,  where  the  standard  of  loyalty  is  ever  shifting  to  meet  the 
whims  of  uneasy  political  parties,  and  where  multitudes  even  of  professed 
Christians  seem  to  have  lost  all  reason  and  all  religion,  and  to  be  led  cap- 
tive by  Satan  at  his  will,  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  determine  whether  a  man  is 
or  is  not  loyal,  according  to  the  popular  standard.  But  if  a  minister  of 
Jesus  Christ  is  to  be  adjudged  by  the  divine  standard  revealed  in  the  Sacred 
Scriptures,  and  if  a  court  of  Jesus  Christ  is  bound  to  regard  the  divine 
standard  alone  in  dealing  with  their  brethren,  then  your  memorialists  unhesi- 
tatingly assert  that  Dr.  McPheeters  conforms  to  that  standard,  and  that  the 


■2l6  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

action  of  the  Presbytery  was  unjust  and  unfair  in  the  extreme.  He  openly 
announces  his  recognized  obhgations  to  *'be  subject  to  the  powers  that  be," 
and  his  enemies  have  been  challenged  in  vain  to  point  to  one  word  or  one  act 
inconsistent  with  those  obligations.  If  such  word  or  act  can  be  fairly 
pointed  out,  your  memorialists  hereby  agree  to  withdraw  all  interest  and 
effort  in  his  behalf,  and  to  consign  him  to  his  just  deserts  at  the  hands  of  a 
Presbytery  which  has  shown  every  disposition  to  deal  with  him  in  the 
utmost  severity. 

In  the  same  "  Card  "  to  which  v/e  have  already  alluded.  Dr.  McPheeters 
expresses  his  views  as  follows  : 

"I  have  no  commission  to  uphold  the  State;  much  less  have  I  any  to 
seek  its  overthrow.  For  me  to  use,  in  any  way  or  to  any  degree,  my  sacred 
office,  or  the  influence  which  it  gives  me,  to  subvert  the  State,  to  breed  dis- 
contents in  it,  to  hinder  its  legitimate  action,  would,  in  my  esteem,  be 
sacrilege — a  high  and  heaven-daring  sin.  As  a  citizen,  I  hold  it  to  be  a 
most  important  and  indispensable  part  of  my  duty  to  God  to  obey  law,  to 
submit  to  the  authorities,  to  pray  for  them,  to  render  them  the  honor  due 
their  several  stations,  and  to  promote  peace  and  quietness.  These  things, 
I  solemnly  declare,  I  have  habitually  aimed  to  do." 

Again,  in  a  published  correspondence  with  Mr.  George  P.  Strong,  he 
writes  : 

* '  I  am  not  igiiorant  of  the  fact  that  rumors  have  been  circulated,  and 
printed,  too,  charging  me,  directly  or  indirectly,  with  disloyalty.  I  know, 
also,  it  is  a  day  of  rumors,  and  falsehood,  and  detraction ;  and  the  only 
notice  I  have  felt  called  upon  to  take  of  these  things  has  been  to  contradict 
them  by  the  quiet  tenor  of  my  life.  I  have  thought,  yea,  and  I  still  think, 
that  the  '  rumors  of  disloyalty '  need  not  alarm  one  who,  recognizing  civil 
government  as  'ordained  of  God,'  has  been  'subject'  unto  it,  not  only  for 
wrath,  but  for  conscience  sake ;  who,  in  obedience  to  the  Divine  command, 
has  '  submitted  himself  to  every  ordinance  of  man  for  the  Lord's  sake ' ; 
who  has  *  rendered  to  all  their  dues — tribute  to  whom  tribute  is  due,  custom 
to  whom  custom,  fear  to  whom  fear,  and  honor  to  whom  honor,'  and  who, 
in  public  and  in  private,  has  prayed  for  those  who  are  in  authority.  All  this 
I  claim  to  have  done,  habitually  and  as  a  part  of  my  duty  to  God;  and,  to 
bring  this  matter  to  an  issue,  let  me  say,  there  are  civil,  military  and  ecclesi- 
astical courts,  and  that  I  do  now  challenge  any  and  all  men — all  makers,  and 
spreaders,  and  indorsers  of  these  rumors — to  prove,  before  any  of  these 


217 


tribunals,  an  act  that  I  have  done,  or  a  word  that  I  have  said,  that  a  good 
citizen  has  not  a  perfect  right  to  do  or  say." 

Now,  it  is  true,  the  foregoing  declaration  of  principles  did  not  seem  to 
convince  the  Provost-Marshal  that  Dr.  McPheeters  was  sufficiently  loyal  to 
be  allowed  the  privilege  of  preaching  the  Gospel;  but  we  ask  the  General 
Assembly  to  determine  whether  the  declaration  is,  or  is  not,  in  strict  accord- 
ance with  the  teachings  of  God's  Word,  and  whether  a  Presbytery,  as  such, 
had  a  right  to  demand  any  further  declaration.  And  yet  the  avowed  reason 
(not  upon  the  records,  but  upon  the  floor  of  Presbytery  and  in  the  commu- 
nity), for  dissolving  the  pastoral  relation  between  him  and  his  Church  is  his 
disloyalty.  It  must  be  evident  to  your  venerable  body  that,  if  such  a 
declaration  is  not  deemed  satisfactory  to  a  Church  court,  then  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  our  people  will  depend  upon  the  political  views  of  those  who  con- 
stitute a  majority  in  our  Presbyteries,  or  who  are  permitted  to  meet  by  our 
military  authorities. 

In  the  fifth  place,  it  is  asserted,  upon  the  testimony  which  your  memo- 
rialists are  bound  to  receive  as  credible,  that  a  larger  number  of  loyal  persons 
can  be  found  among  those  v/ho  have  sustained  Dr.  McPheeters  throughout 
than  can  be  found  among  his  persecutors.  It  is  also  within  the  personal 
knowledge  of  many  of  your  memorialists  that  his  Session  is  composed  of 
men  who  are  not  only  loyal  according  to-the  scriptural  standard,  but  Union 
men  according  to  the  political  standard.  Of  nearly  all  of  them  have  some 
of  your  memorialists  heard,  as  outspoken,  earnest  and  decided  in  their  sup- 
port of  the  Government,  and  in  their  opposition  to  secession,  from  the  very 
beginning  of  our  troubles.  How  does  it  happen,  then,  that  so  many  thor- 
ough Union  men,  who  have  associated  daily  and  intimately  v/ith  their  pastor, 
can  not  discover  that  he  has  been  in  any  wise  faithless  to  his  duties  as  a 
citizen,  while  it  was  reserved  for  a  Presbytery,  very  few  of  whose  members 
were  at  all  familiar  with  him,  to  detect  the  taint  of  disloyalty  and  banish 
him  from  his  Church  ? 

In  the  sixth  place,  we  ask  the  Assembly  to  note  the  following  paper,  vol- 
untarily signed  by  Dr.  McPheeters,  and  laid  before  Major-General  Rosecrans, 
commanding  the  Department  of  the  Missouri : 

"We,  the  undersigned,  hereby  certify  that  we  have  each  taken  the  oath 
of  allegiance  to  the  Provisional  Government  of  Missouri  and  to  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  of  America. 

**We  also  solemnly  affirm  that  we  will  support  the  Constitution  and  laws 
thereof,  and  that  we  will  not  give  aid  and  comfort  to  the  enemies  of  either. 


2l8  .MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

We  desire  and  purpose  to  conduct  ourselves  in  all  respects  as  good  citizens, 
and  to  'be  subject  to  the  powers  that  be,'  in  accordance  with  the  teachings 
of  God's  Word. 

"As  a  matter  of  principle,  however,  and  because  we  recognize  the  Head- 
ship of  Jesus  Christ  alone  in  His  Church,  we  can  not  allow  any  human  au- 
thority to  determine  the  qualifications  of  members  who  compose  our  Eccle- 
siastical Courts. 

"We,  therefore,  respectfully  request  the  Commanding  General  to  allow 
us,  as  loyal  citizens,  to  assemble  without  let  or  hindrance,  in  order  to  trans- 
act business  connected  only  with  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom,  and  without 
requiring  us  to  obey  Order  No.  6i,  that  seems,  at  least,  to  interfere  with  the 
liberty  and  purity  of  the  Church. 

"We  assure  you.  General,  that  our  request  is  not  dictated  by  a  captious 
or  fault-finding  spirit;  and  in  proof  of  this  assurance  we  shall  not  resist  your 
authority,  but  quietly  remain  at  home  instead  of  attending  the  Ecclesiastical 
Court  which  is  about  to  convene  at  Kirkwood,  unless  our  request  can  be 
granted." 

To  this  communication  no  reply  has  yet  been  made,  and,  therefore,  neither 
Dr.  McPheeters  nor  the  majority  of  your  memorialists  could  conscientiously 
attend  the  recent  meeting  of  Presbytery  which  convened  on  the  6th  of  April, 
1864.  If,  however,  a  refusal  to  attend  under  the  surveillance  of  a  Provost- 
!Marshal  (who  was  urged  to  be  present  and  administer  the  oath  at  the  open- 
ing of  Presbytery  by  two  persons  who  have  been  very  active  in  their  oppo- 
sition to  Dr.  IMcPheeters) ;  if,  we  say,  this  can  be  brought  against  Dr. 
McPheeters,  as  a  proof  of  disloyalty,  then  may  it  with  equal  propriety  be 
alleged  against  some  of  our  leading  religious  journals,  and  against  several 
of  the  most  distinguished  Union  men,  both  in  Church  and  State, 

Previous  to  this  recent  meeting,  however,  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  as  soon  as  he  learned  of  the  order  forbidding  Dr.  IMcPheeters  to  ex- 
ercise his  ministerial  office,  promptly  relieved  him  of  the  disability  under 
which  he  labored  from  military  interference,  and  expressed  surprise  at  such 
interference,  as  involving  disobedience  to  his  own  positive  commands. 

It  is  not  strange,  therefore,  that,  in  compliance  with  the  earnest  desire  of 
his  Session  and  Church,  he  resumed  his  pastoral  labors.  An  appeal  and 
complaint  to  Synod,  found  to  be  in  order,  as  the  records  of  Synod  show, 
were  then,  and  still  are,  pending ;  and  inasmuch  as  the  final  effect  of  the 
action  of  Presbytery  was  stayed  until  the  case  could  be  heard  and  issued 
before  the  higher  court,  your  memorialists  can  not  see  that  he  was  wrong  in 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D,  219 

re-entering  the  field  to  which  God's  providence  vras  manifestly  pointing 
him,  and  in  which  God's  blessings  manifestly  accompanied  him.  The  con- 
gregation, as  some  of  your  memorialists  personally  know,  Mere  large,  atten- 
tive and  solemn ;  the  Church  was  receiving  considerable  accessions,  both  by 
letter  and  upon  profession  of  faith ;  some  of  the  minority  appeared  to  be 
well  contented  with  having  their  old  pastor  among  them  again,  while  others 
of  them  had  withdrawn,  or  were  preparing  to  withdraw,  in  peace ;  and  after 
a  year  of  sore  trial  Pine  Street  Church  had  a  brighter  promise  of  usefulness 
than  even  before  her  afflictions. 

But  this  scene  of  tranquilHty  and  of  joy  was  destined  to  be  of  brief  con 
tinuance.  At  the  regular  spring  meeting  of  Presbytery,  April  6,  1864, 
which  was  attended  by  only  eighteen  out  of  about  sixty  Ministers  and  Ruling 
Elders,  because  of  a  military  order  touching  Ecclesiastical  Assemblies,  the 
following  extraordinary  action  was  taken  upon  a  memorial  signed  by  nine 
members  of  Pine  Street  Church,  asking  ' '  that  such  action  may  be  taken  in 
the  premises  as  to  compel  Dr.  McPheeters  to  respect  the  decision  of  Pres- 
bytery and  retire  from  Pine  Street  Church,  and  that  such  other  relief  may 
be  afforded  as  to  your  body  may  seem  meet  and  proper." 

*' Elder  George  P.  Strong,  of  Pine  Street  Church,  being  present  in  the 
house"  (but  not  as  a  member  of  Presbytery),  "was  invited  to  address 
Presbytery  on  the  subject.     .     .     . 

"The  following  was  moved  by  the  Rev.  PI.  I.  Coe  : 

"  '  Resolved,  That  the  memorial  of  a  number  of  members  of  Pine  Street 
Presbyterian  Church  be  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  of  Presbytery 
on  the  Affairs  of  the  Church,  with  instructions  to  report  at  a  called  or  at  the 
next  regular  meeting  of  Presbytery,  as  they  may  deem  expedient. ' 

"Pending  the  discussion  of  this  resolution,  Rev.  J.  J.  Porter  moved  the 
following  substitute : 

"  'The  memorial  of  certain  members  of  Pine  Street  Church  having  been 
presented,  after  discussion  it  was  resolved  as  follows  : 

"  '  I.  By  action  of  Presbytery  of  June,  1863,  the  pastoral  relation  between 
Dr.  McPheeters  and  Pine  Street  Church  was  dissolved,  and  Dr.  McPhee- 
ters ceased  to  be  the  pastor  of  that  Church  and  ceased  to  have  the  right  to 
exercise  discipline  or  perform  the  functions  of  the  pastoral  office  in  that 
Church. 

"  '2.  That,  inasmuch  as  this  action  was  taken  by  Presbytery,  in  the  ex- 
ercise of  its  power  to  ordain  whatever  pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  tjie 
Churches  under  their  care,  and  is  its  solemn  judgment  that  the  interests  of 


220  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

Pine  Street  Church  require  that  Dr.  McPheeters  shall  cease  to  exercise  the 
functions  of  minister  to  that  Church;  therefore,  resolved,'  "  &c. 

Now,  not  to  speak  of  the  impropriety  and  irregularity  exhibited  in  going 
back  to  explain  the  grounds  of  action  in  a  meeting  of  Presbytery,  composed 
in  part  of  different  members,  your  memorialists  ask  the  Assembly  to  observe 
that  the  Presbytery  shifts  its  position  with  regard  to  the  reasons  for  dissolv- 
ing the  pastoral  relation.  At  the  meeting  in  June,  1863,  the  only  reason 
assigned  was,  because  Pine  Street  Church  had  requested  the  dissolution ; 
but  it  seems  that,  upon  reflection,  this  position  was  found  to  be  altogether 
untenable,  in  the  light  of  notorious  facts ;  and  hence  it  now  appears  that 
the  "action  was  taken  by  the  Presbytery  in  the  exercise  of  its  power  to 
ordain  whatever  pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  Churches  under 
their  care." 

But  while  it  is  true  that  such  is  the  general  power  conferred  by  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  Church  upon  Presbytery,  it  is  a  power  plainly  modified  and 
limited  by  specific  regulations,  and  can  be  applied  only  in  the  mode  and  by 
the  laws  made  and  provided  for  its  execution.  Now,  Chapter  XVII,  Form 
of  Government,  clearly  states  the  manner  in  which  a  pastoral  relation  must 
be  dissolved ;  and,  notwithstanding  the  general  law  by  which  Presbyteries 
"order  whatever  pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  Churches  under 
their  care,"  they  are  bound  to  be  governed  by  the  special  rules  prescribed 
for  their  direction. 

The  General  Assembly,  however,  will  perceive  the  difficulty  under  which 
Presbytery  labored  with  respect  to  Dr.  McPheeters  and  Pine  Street  Church. 
The  requirements  of  the  Book  in  this  case  were  completely  set  aside,  as 
neither  he  nor  his  congregation  was  heard,  and  Presbytery  was  compelled  to 
fall  back  upon  its  general  power  as  its  last  defense.  But  a  more  dangerous 
assumption  of  power,  your  memorialists  believe,  was  never  proclaimed ; 
and  unless  promptly  arrested  in  its  exercise  it  must  work  incalculable  mis- 
chief among  our  churches.  If  this  bold  declaration  of  power  receives  the 
sanction  of  our  higher  courts,  it  is  manifest  that  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis, 
composed  as  it  has  been,  to  a  great  extent,  for  more  than  a  year  past,  of 
persons  who  have  no  pastoral  charge,  and  some  of  whom  have  but  recently 
come  into  the  Old  School  Church,  may  assemble  at  any  time  and  dissolve 
any  pastoral  relation  they  may  choose  to  dissolve,  without  even  permitting 
the  minister  and  his  people  to  be  heard. 

Your  memorialists,  therefore,  pray  your  venerable  body  to  withhold  the 
sanction  of  your  high  authority  from  proceedings  so  unconstitutional,  so  un- 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  221 

generous  and  so  unjust,  and  to  order  the  immediate  restoration  of  Dr. 
McPheeters  to  his  pastoral  charge.  Such  action  we  are  sure  will  promote 
the  peace  and  prosperity  of  our  Churches,  unite  the  affections  of  our  people 
by  still  closer  ties  to  the  General  Assembly,  and  save  us  from  great  and 
manifold  troubles. 

That  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church,  by  the  communications  of  His  grace, 
and  by  the  enlightening  of  His  Holy  Spirit,  may  guide  you  in  your  deliber- 
ations upon  this  and  upon  every  other  matter  coming  before  you,  is  the 
earnest  prayer  of  your  memorialists. 

This  memorial  was  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  Ministers  and  Sessiotts 
of  St.  Louis  Presbytery. 


SPEECH  OF  HON.  WM.  T.  WOOD. 

Moderator — I  trust  that  the  importance  of  the  judicial  case,  upon  the 
discussion  of  which  I  am  about  to  enter,  will  secure  to  me  a  patient  hearing 
by  the  General  Assembly.  No  more  important  judicial  case  has  ever  been 
before  our  Church  courts,  for  the  effect  of  the  decision  you  are  to  render 
will  not  be  confined  to  Pine  Street  Church  in  St.  Louis,  but  its  influence, 
for  good  or  for  evil,  will  extend  to  all  our  Churches  throughout  our  whole 
country.  I  appreciate  the  responsibility  of  my  position  in  appearing  before 
you.  I  well  remember  the  place  and  presence  in  which  I  speak.  I  know 
there  has  been  much  feeling  excited  by  the  facts  of  this  case,  but,  sir,  it  shall 
be  my  aim  to  say  nothing  that  will  excite  feeling,  nothing  that  will  offend 
or  wound  the  feelings  of  any  ;  I  will  comment  only  on  such  facts  as  are 
necessary  to  a  right  understanding  of  the  case. 

In  giving  my  consent,  on  the  urgent  solicitations  of  my  brother  Elders, 
who  have  complained  to  the  General  Assembly,  to  represent  them  here,  I 
did  not  do  so  in  any  vain  expectation  that  I  could,  by  any  efforts  of  mine, 
in  the  slightest  degree,  influence  the  action  of  this  learned  and  venerable 
body,  composed  of  men  whose  lives  have  been  devoted  to  just  such  studies 
as  supplied  them  with  just  such  practical  knowledge  as  will  eminently  fit 
them  to  decide  properly  any  and  all  questions  involved  in  this  unhappy  con- 
troversy ;  but  I  am  here  that  my  presence  may  be  a  living,  tangible  evidence 
that  the  members  of  Pine  Street  Church  are  in  earnest  in  asserting  their 
sacred  claim  of  right  to  choose  their  own  pastor  and  to  bear  testimony  to 
their  warm  and  devoted  attachment  to  him. 


222  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

Moderator,  if  there  be  a  fault  that  Dr.  McPheeters  is  still  a  party  to  a 
contest  in  his  Church,  it  is  not  a  fault  to  be  laid  to  his  charge.  I  know  how 
willingly  he  would  have  resigned  his  charge  and  withdrawn  from  a  strife 
abhorent  to  every  feehng  of  his  nature.  From  the  beginning,  and  at  all 
times,  he  would  have  done  so  if  he  could  have  left  the  Church  in  more  of 
peace  and  harmony,  or  if  he  could  have  had  the  consent  of  his  people  ;  but 
unwilling  to  yield  him  up  a  victim  to  wrong,  they  have  uniformly  and  stead- 
fastly protested  against  it,  and,  constrained  by  a  sense  of  duty,  he  still 
remains  in  the  position  to  which,  in  the  Providence  of  God,  he  has  been 
called,  ready  to  endure  trials  and  persecutions  in  any  form  they  may  be  per- 
mitted to  assume. 

Moderator,  I  know  all  about  the  troubles  in  Pine  Street  Church  from  the 
time  they  commenced  until  now,  and,  were  it  allowable,  if  I  should  give  you 
their  history,  with  necessary  comments,  it  would  require  more  of  labor  than 
I  am  willing  to  undergo,  and  consume  more  of  the  time  of  this  General 
Assembly  than  can  or  ought  to  be  devoted  to  a  single  case.  The  remarks 
which  I  shall  submit  shall  be  confined  to  the  complaint  made  by  members  of 
the  Session  of  the  Church  against  the  action  of  Presbytery  at  its  recent 
session,  whereby  they  excluded  Dr.  McPheeters  from  the  pulpit  of  Pine 
Street  Church  and  required  him  to  cease  all  connection  with  the  Church. 
In  thus  confining  the  remarks  which  I  shall  submit,  I  wish  it  distinctly 
understood  that  our  whole  case  will  not  be  told.  A  mass  of  matter  con- 
taining ground  of  serious  complaint  against  a  minority  in  the  Church  will 
be  wholly  untouched. 

In  the  consideration  of  every  case  it  is  of  the  first  importance  that  the 
issues  involved  be  clearly  understood  and  comprehended.  Now,  what  are 
the  issues  in  this  case  ?  And  this  is  a  question  more  easily  asked  than 
answered. 

The  action  of  the  inferior  court  complained  of  is  the  exclusion  of  Dr. 
McPheeters  from  his  pulpit,  and  requiring  him  to  cease  to  exercise  the 
function  of  a  pastor  or  minister  to  his  Church,  and  to  cease  all  connection 
with  the  Church.  To  get  at  the  issues  we  must  go  behind  the  action  itself 
and  examine  the  case  made  out  for  its  foundation. 

The  proceedings  as  first  began  against  Dr.  McPheeters  were  inaugurated 
by  the  call  of  a  special  meeting  of  Presbytery  on  the  request  of  three  Min- 
isters and  four  Elders,  only  one  of  the  Ministers  having  a  charge,  three  of 
the  Elders  being  of  Mr.  Porter's  Church,  and  of  the  whole  number  of 
Ministers  and  Elders,  only  one  Elder  a  member  of  Pine  Street  Church. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  223 

This  meeting  was  called,  as  expressed  in  the  call,  "  to  dissolve  the  pastoral 
relation  between  that  (Pine  Street)  Church  and  Rev.  Samuel  B.  McPheeters, 
D.  D."     It  was  not  a  call  at  the  request  of  either  pastor  or  people. 

This  special  meeting  convened  on  the  15th  I\Iay,  1863,  and  was  composed 
of  only  sixteen  out  of  nearly  sixty  Ministers  and  Elders  in  the  Presbytery. 
It  is  but  right  that  the  General  Assembly  should  knov/  why  so  few  were  in 
attendance,  and  the  cause  will  be  found  stated  in  the  seventh  clause  of  com- 
plaint. It  was  "a.  time  of  much  excitement  growing  out  of  the  rebellion, 
and  when  martial  law  was  in  full  force  and  vigorously  enforced ;"  and  on  the 
day  Presbytery  met  it  was  said  on  the  streets  that  if  Dr.  McPheeters'  friends 
attended  Presbytery  they  would  be  arrested,  and  on  this  account  a  number 
went  home  who  had  come  intending  to  participate  in  the  proceedings — that 
two  of  them  were  actually  arrested  and  imprisoned.  It  was  under  these 
circumstances,  and  on  information  deemed  reliable,  that  his  friends  were  in 
danger  of  prison,  and  himself  and  family  of  banishment,  and  with  but  little 
hope  of  serving  his  Church,  as  he  was  then  excluded  from  the  pulpit,  that 
Dr.  McPheeters  consulted  with  friends  and  was  constrained  to  place  his 
resignation  in  the  hands  of  Presbytery,  and  to  advise  his  friends  not  to 
attend. 

This  was  done  with  the  hope  that  the  delay  necessary,  before  final  action, 
as  it  was  supposed  that  could  not  be  had  until  after  the  next  meeting  of 
Presbytery,  would  give  time  for  reflection  and  returning  reason. 

On  receiving  Dr.  McPheeters'  letter  of  resignation  the  nature  of  the  pro- 
ceedings was  at  once  changed,  and  Presbytery  adopted  an  order  under  the 
seventeenth  chapter  of  the  Form  of  Government  in  these  words.  (See 
Memorial,  page  4. )  To  this  seventeenth  chapter,  which  contains  but  a 
single  section,  I  ask  the  careful  attention  of  the  General  Assembly.  I  will 
read  it  before  I  sit  down. 

The  members  of  the  Church  and  congregation,  in  obedience  to  the  cita- 
tion, held  a  meeting  on  the  day  appointed,  and,  after  many  obstacles  and 
delays,  succeeded  in  reaching  a  vote  about  midnight,  when  they  resolved, 
by  a  vote  of  ninety-one  to  fifty-six,  ' '  That  the  meeting  do  not  agree  to,  and 
protest  against  the  dissolution  of  the  existing  relation  with  Rev.  Samuel  B. 
McPheeters  as  pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church,  and  that  we  request  him  to 
withdraw  his  resignation  offered  to  St.  Louis  Presbytery."  Immediately 
after  this  resolution  was  adopted,  a  member  offered  matter  foreign  to  the 
object  of  the  meeting,  likely  to  consume  time  at  that  late  hour  of  the  night, 
and  the  majority  not  knowing  the  necessity  of  appointing  a  commissioner 


224  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

"to  show  cause  why  the  Presbytery  should  not  accept  the  resignation,"  left 
the  house  and  went  home,  and  then,  immediately,  although  there  was  a 
motion  to  adopt  it  unanimously,  the  mover  withdrew  it,  that  a  commissioner 
might  be  appointed  by  the  minority,  who  remained  to  represent  the  Church 
in  Presbytery,  with  instructions  not  "to  show  cause  why  Presbytery  should 
not  accept  the  resignation,"  but  "to  urge  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral 
relation,"  and  this  in  violation  of  the  seventeenth  chapter,  under  which  they 
were  proceeding,  in  disregard  of  the  vote  and  voice  of  the  congregation, 
and  against  all  rule,  without  a  motion  to  reconsider  the  vote  taken. 

Let  it  not  be  forgotten  that  this  meeting  of  Presbytery  of  the  3d  of  June 
was  2l  pro-re-nata  meeting,  and  in  order  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the 
seventeenth  chapter,  and  take  their  final  action  at  a  ^^  ttext  7neeting,^^  as 
required  by  Form  of  Government,  Presbytery  adjourned  from  the  3d  to  the 
23d  of  June,  deciding  that  they  could  make  the  i:ext  meeting  by  adjourning 
to  another  day.  On  the  22d  of  June  there  was  a  meeting  of  the  members 
of  the  Church,  called  at  a  regular  meeting  of  the  Session.  At  this  meeting 
the  members  of  the  Church  re-affirmed  the  resolution  of  Captain  Greene, 
adopted  at  the  former  meeting,  and  required  the  commissioner  thus  appointed 
in  the  manner  stated  to  resign,  unless  he  could  and  would  in  good  faith 
present  and  urge  upon  the  Presbytery  the  true  voice  and  wishes  of  the  con- 
gregation, as  expressed  in  the  resolution  adopted  on  motion  of  Captain 
Greene.     (See  proceedings,  Memorial,  page  5.) 

On  the  next  day,  the  23d  June,  the  new  pro-rc-naia  meeting  of  Presby- 
tery met,  and  the  proceedings  of  the  two  meetings  of  the  congregation, 
properly  certified,  showing  the  action  I  have  stated,  were  laid  before  and 
read  in  open  Presbytery.  A  paper  from  Dr.  McPheeters,  asking  leave  to 
withdraw  his  resignation  placed  in  their  hands,  and  stating  the  reasons  which 
constrained  him  to  place  it  in  their  hands,  was  read  to  Presbytery.  This 
paper  Presbytery  refused  to  consider,  refused  to  place  it  upon  the  records 
of  Presbytery,  and  ordered  that  he  have  leave  to  withdraw  it.  The  minutes 
of  Presbytery  show  these  entries  :  * '  Mr.  Strong  having  concluded,  it  was 
moved  that  the  request  of  the  Pine  Street  Church  be  granted  and  the  pastoral 
relation  dissolved."  "  Pending  this  motion  Rev.  J.  H.  Brookes  asked  leave 
to  read  a  paper  from  Rev.  Dr.  McPheeters .  The  leave  was  gi-anted,  and 
the  paper  was  heard.  Rev.  Dr.  McPheeters  having  asked  leave  to  withdraw 
his  resignation,  already  put  in  the  hands  of  Presbytery,  and  that  the  whole 
paper  be  spread  on  the  records,  it  was,  on  motion  of  Elder  A.  G,  Edwards, 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  225 

*^Resoh'ed,  That  Rev.  Dr.  McPheeters  have  leave  to  withdraw  his  paper 
just  presented. 

**  The  motion  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation  recurring,  .  .  .  G.  P. 
Strong,  Esq.,  Commissioner  from  Pine  Street  Church,  took  the  floor  and 
pressed  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation  between  that  Church  and 
Rev.  Dr.  McPheeters.  Mr.  Strong  having  concluded,  &c. ,  the  previous  ques- 
tion was  now  called  for  and  carried.  The  main  question,  viz. :  the  dissolution 
of  the  pastoral  relation,  then  being  put,  the  ayes  and  noes  were  called  for. 
Ayes  II,  noes  9." 

The  minutes  of  Presbytery  show  that  Elder  W.  W.  Greene  was  a  meml^er 
representing  Pine  Street  Church.  The  minutes  also  show  that  Elder  Greene 
gave  notice  in  open  Presbytery  that  he  intended  to  complain  to  Synod 
against  the  action  of  Presbytery  in  dissolving  the  pastoral  relation,  and  on 
due  notice  Elder  Greene  made  out,  in  writing,  his  appeal  and  complaint  to 
Synod  in  his  own  name,  as  a  representative  of  the  Session  of  Pine  Street 
Church,  and  in  the  name  of  a  majority  of  the  congregation. 

The  minutes  of  Synod  are  here,  and  show  that  this  appeal  and  complaint 
was  duly  received  and  recognized,  and  decided  to  be  in  order  and  entered 
upon  the  docket  of  Synod  for  hearing,  and  is  still  there  pending  and  undis- 
posed of 

Now,  it  was  while  this  appeal  was  thus  pending  before  Synod,  about 
January,  1864,  that  Dr.  McPheeters  and  the  Church  and  the  public,  for  the 
first  time,  learned  from  !Mr.  Lincoln,  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
that  he  had,  in  January,  1863,  ordered  Gen.  Curtis,  commanding  the  De- 
partment of  the  Missouri,  to  restore  Dr.  McPheeters  to  his  rights  and  privi- 
leges as  a  minister,  and  that  he  (Mr.  Lincoln)  had  supposed  that  this  order 
had  been  obeyed. 

This  letter  of  Mr.  Lincoln  was  shown  to  Gen.  Totten,  then  commanding 
the  Department  of  the  Missouri  in  the  absence  of  Gen.  Schofield,  and  with 
his  knowledge  Dr.  McPheeters  reoccupied  his  pulpit,  in  accordance  with  the 
wishes  of  six  out  of  seven  Elders  of  the  Church,  and  a  large  majority  of  its 
members — all  believing  it  was  not  only  his  right,  but  his  duty  to  resume  his 
labor  as  Pastor  until  final  action  could  be  had  on  the  appeal  to  Synod. 

Thus  matters  stood  until  a  day  or  two  before  the  spring  session  of  Pres- 
bytery, on  the  6th  of  April,  1864.  A  few  days  before  this  Gen.  Rosecrans, 
commanding  the  Department  of  the  Missouri,  had  issued  an  order — No.  61, 
I  believe — since  generally  known  as  "the  Church  order."  By  this  order 
our  Ecclesiastical  Courts,  before  organizing,  were  required  to  ascertain  whoi 

15 


226  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

had  and  who  had  not  taken  a  certain  oath  prescribed  in  the  order  as  neces- 
sary to  make  the  members  ehgible,  and  a  Provost-Marshal  was  required  to 
be  present  at  the  organization  and  see  the  order  enforced;  and  a  failure  to 
comply  on  the  part  of  the  court,  or  any  of  its  members,  was  made  a  military 
offense. 

A  number  of  the  members  of  Presbytery  believed  they  could  not  carry 
out  this  order  without  ignoring  the  Headship  of  Jesus  Christ  in  His  Church, 
without  surrendering  the  independence  of  the  Church,  and  without  vio- 
lating their  own  ordination  vows  to  support  and  maintain  the  Church  Con- 
stitution. I  simply  state  the  fact  that  they  believed  thus.  I  argue  not  the 
question  whether  they  were  right  or  wrong.  Believing  this,  a  number  of 
them,  among  whom  was  Dr.  McPheeters,  joined  in  addressing  a  letter  to 
Gen.  Rosecrans,  requesting  him  to  permit  them  to  attend  Presbytery  "with- 
out let  or  hindrance  as  loyal  citizens,"  certifying  that  they  had  taken  the  oath 
of  allegiance  prescribed  by  our  Convention.  This  letter  was  read  to  the 
General  Assembly  in  the  complaint  of  Dr.  McPheeters.  It  was  never  an- 
swered. Others  heard  or  knew  of  it  who  did  not  sign  it.  None  who  held 
the  same  views  attended  Presbytery ;  and  thus  was  Presbytery  left  to  be 
composed  of  only  eighteen  out  of  nearly  sixty  members. 

I  ought,  perhaps,  further  to  add  that  it  was  spoken  of  and  known  that 
one  of  the  members  who  did  attend  Presbytery,  in  company  with  an  Elder, 
visited  the  Provost-Marshal-General  and  requested  and  urged  him  to  send 
a  Deputy  Provost-Marshal  to  be  present  at  the  organization  and  sitting  of 
Presbytery. 

It  was  under  these  circumstances  that  a  memorial,  signed  by  nine  mem- 
bers of  Pine  Street  Church,  was  hastily  got  up  and  presented  to  Presbytery 
on  the  second  and  last  day  of  its  session,  charging  Dr.  McPheeters  with  con- 
duct revolutionary  and  contumacious,  and  asking  "  that  such  action  may  be 
taken  in  the  premises  as  to  compel  him  to  respect  the  decision  of  Presbytery 
and  retire  from  Pine  Street  Church,  and  that  such  other  relief  may  be 
afforded  as  to  your  body  may  seem  meet  and  proper." 

The  minutes  show  that  '■'  Elder  George  P.  Strong,  of  Pine  Street  Church, 
being  present  in  the  house  (he  was  not  there  as  a  member),  was  invited  to 
address  Presbytery  on  the  subject." 

Whereupon,  it  was  resolved  as  follows  : 

"I.  By  action  of  Presbytery  of  June,  1863,  the  pastoral  relation  between 
Dr.  McPheeters  and  Pine  Street  Church  was  dissolved,  and  Dr.  McPhee- 
ters ceased  to  be  the  pastor  of  that  Church  and  ceased  to  have  the  right  to 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  227 

exercise  discipline  or  perform  the  functions  of  the  pastoral  office  in  that 
Church. 

"  2.  That  inasmuch  as  this  action  was  taken  by  Presbytery,  in  the  exer- 
cise of  its  power  to  ordain  whatever  pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the 
Church,  and  under  their  care,  and  is  its  solemn  judgment  that  the  interest  of 
Pine  Street  Church  requires  that  Dr.  McPheeters  shall  cease  to  exercise  the 
functions  of  minister  to  that  Church;  therefore,  resolved,"  etc. 

Against  this  action  Dr.  McPheeters  and  six  of  the  seven  members  of  the 
Session  have  complained  to  this  Assembly. 

And  a  memorial  from  the  majority  of  ministers  and  elders,  in  the  bounds 
of  Presbytery,  protesting  against  the  action  complained  of  as  unconstitu- 
tional, ungenerous  and  unjust,  and  asking  the  immediate  restoration  of  Dr. 
McPheeters  to  his  charge,  has  been  sent  to  this  body. 

I  will  call  the  attention  of  the  General  Assembly  to  one  additional  fact 
which  shall  close  my  statement  of  facts :  that  is  this — that  from  the  begin- 
ning of  these  prosecutions  to  the  close  of  them  Dr.  McPheeters  has  never 
had  the  opportunity  to  appear  in  his  own  defense  or  vindication.  Every 
proceeding  has  been  ex  parte,  and  all  facts  deemed  necessary  to  sustain  the 
action  of  Presbytery  have  been  assumed,  none  have  been  proven.  This  I 
say  not  at  random ;  I  ask  the  General  Assembly  to  examine  the  record,  and 
if  anything  can  be  proved  having  the  character  or  semblance  of  proof,  I  have 
never  been  able  to  find  it.  And  yet  these  proceedings  have  been  of  the 
gravest  character.  They  have  terminated  in  sundering  the  dearest  and  most 
sacred  relation  on  earth,  save  only  that  of  husband  and  wife,  and  of  parent 
and  child,  in  taking  away  the  sacred  right  of  a  Presbyterian  people  to  choose 
a  pastor  for  themselves,  and  in  casting  suspicion  on,  and  with  it  doing  the 
most  serious  injury  to  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  than  whom 
few  have  or  ought  to  have  a  higher  name  for  talent,  integrity,  piety  and 
usefulness.  More  than  this,  they  have  brought  affliction  and  sorrow  upon 
a  little  flock  of  Christians  bound  by  ties  of  strongest  affection  to  their  pas- 
tor, who,  too,  loved  them  in  return — a  flock  that  was  a  model  flock  before 
the  fell  spirit  of  discord  was  so  wantonly  enkindled  among  them.  Mode- 
rator, this  is  a  startling  feature  in  this  proceeding. 

The  man  charged  with  the  highest  crime  or  the  lowest  misdemeanor,  or 
with  debt,  even  one  cent  indebtedness,  is  entitled  to  notice,  and  has  the 
right  to  be  heard  by  himself  and  witnesses.  Surely  I  am  not  mistaken  in 
saying  the  noble  Constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  claimed,  and  justly 
claimed,  as  having  furnished  the  model  on  which  our  own  glorious  civil  Con- 


2  28  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

stitution  was  formed,  does  not  and  can  not  warrant  ex  parte  proceedings 
involving  questions  affecting  the  most  sacred  rights  and  entaihng  evils  and 
wrongs  of  such  magnitude. 

And  I  ask  the  General  Assembly,  in  this  connection,  to  let  it  not  be  for- 
gotten, that  while  Dr.  McPheeters  has  not  been  allowed  the  opportunity, 
or  permitted  on  his  own  urgent  request,  to  attend  and  defend  himself 
against  these  proceedings,  the  prosecutor  has  always  attended,  and  been 
allowed  the  largest  liberty  of  a  hearing. 

These  are  the  prominent  and  substantial  facts  connected  with  the  grounds 
of  complaint  assigned.  It  is  still  left  for  these  grounds  of  complaint  to 
indicate  and  develop  the  issues  for  hearing  before  the  General  Assembly. 

These  grounds  of  complaint  are  numbered  from  I  to  7.  I  will  give  them, 
in  substantial  abbreviation. 

1.  That  a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  Presbytery  did  not,  and  could 
not,  attend  Presbytery  at  its  meeting  on  6th  April,  I  864,  the  time  of  the 
action  complained  of,  because  of  military  orders  in  force,  leaving  the  Pres- 
bytery, although  a  quorum,  still  a  small  minority,  only  eighteen  out  of  nearly 
sixty. 

2.  The  action  of  Presbytery  complained  of  was  had  and  taken  in  the 
absence  of  Dr.  McPheeters,  and  without  notice  to  him,  and  without  his 
having  opportunity  to  be  heard ;  and  being  thus  had  and  taken,  concluded 
him  guilty  of  grave  fault,  and  expelled  him  from  his  pulpit. 

3.  That  Presbytery  erred  in  decidmg  that  the  right  of  Dr.  McPheeters 
to  perform  the  functions  of  pastor  or  minister  in  Pine  Street  Church  ceased 
from  the  time  of  their  former  action,  notwithstanding  the  appeal  made  and 
pending  from  action  to  Synod. 

4.  That  the  action  of  Presbytery  complained  of  was  based,  in  part,  on 
ex  parte  verbal  statements  of  George  P.  Strong  and  others,  of  which  no 
record  was  kept,  and  of  the  nature  and  character  of  which  neither  Dr. 
McPheeters  nor  this  General  Assembly  can  have  any  knowledge. 

5.  The  action  of  Presbytery  is  violative  of  principles  cherished  by  Pres- 
bytery, which  in  the  congregation  give  the  controlling  power  to  the  majority  ; 
is  unjust  to  the  majority,  disastrous  to  the  Chnrch  and  injurious  to  the 
interests  of  religion. 

6.  Because  the  action  of  Presbytery  complained  of  is  based,  in  most  part, 
on  the  act  of  Presbytery  of  23d  June,  1863,  whereby  Presbytery  dissolved 
the  pastoral  relation,  on  the  alleged  ground  that  it  was  done  on  request  of 
Pine  Street  Church ;  whereas  complainants  allege  that  the  records  show  that 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  229 

no  such  request  was  ever  made,  but,  on  the  contrary,  they  made  solemn  pro- 
test against  it,  by  vote  of  91  to  56,  and  reaffirmed  this  vote  at  another  con- 
gregational meeting,  and  instructed  Mr.  Strong,  in  good  faith,  to  represent 
and  urge  their  true  voice. 

7,  There  was  no  emergency  that  did  not  exist  and  was  not  fully  known 
to  the  Presbytery  just  closed  before  the  first  pro-re-nata  meeting  to  dis- 
solve the  pastoral  relation.     (See  loth  sec.  loth  chap.  Form  of  Gov.) 

Because  the  time  was  improper,  such  as  to  make  it  certain  there  would  be 
but  few  members  in  attendance;  because  the  proceedings  were  hastened 
through  special,  small  and  partial  meetings  of  Presbytery ;  and  because  the 
resignation  of  Dr.  McPheeters,  placed  in  the  hands  of  Presbytery,  was  not 
so  placed  on  his  free  choice,  but  was  constrained  by  the  pressure  of  sur- 
rounding circumstances. 

These  make  up  the  grounds  of  complaint ;  and  having  already  stated  the 
facts  substantially,  the  question  again  recurs,  ^Yhat  are  the  questions  and 
issues  properly  and  legitimately  before  the  General  Assembly  for  their 
decision  ?     I  state  the  questions  and  issues  thus  : 

1.  Is  it  true  that  a  majority  of  the  members  of  Presbytery  did  not,  and 
could  not,  attend  by  reason  of  military  orders  ?  And  if  so,  how  does  this 
fact  affect  the  validity  or  propriety  of  the  action  of  Presbytery  complained  of  ? 

2.  Is  it  true  that  the  action  of  Presbytery  was  had  and  taken  in  the 
absence  of  Dr.  McPheeters,  and  without  notice,  and  without  his  having 
opportunity  to  be  heard?  and  does  it  conclude  him  guilty  of  grave  fault? 
and  how  do  these  facts  affect  the  propriety  of  the  proceedings  ? 

3.  Is  the  decision  of  Presbytery  right,  that  the  appeal  to  Synod  did  not 
suspend  proceedings,  and  leave  Dr.  McPheeters  the  right  to  perform  min- 
isterial functions  in  his  Church  ? 

4.  Is  it  true  that  Presbytery,  in  part,  based  its  action  on  ex  parte  state- 
ments of  George  P.  Strong  and  others,  made  verbally,  and  not  kept  on 
record?  If  so,  is  this  an  irregularity  affecting  the  propriety  of  the  pro- 
ceedings ? 

5.  Was  the  action  of  Presbytery  in  disregard  of  the  voice  and  rights  of 
the  majority  of  the  congregation  ?  Was  it  injurious  to  Pine  Street  Church 
and  to  the  interests  of  rehgion  ? 

6.  Is  it  true  that  Presbytery  dissolved  the  pastoral  relation  on  the  ground 
that  the  dissolution  was  requested  by  Pine  Street  Church  ?  Did  Pine  Street 
Church  request  the  dissolution  ?  Did  the  congregation  object  to  and  pro- 
test against  the  dissolution  ?     Did  Presbytery  receive  Mr.  Strong  as  com- 


230  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

missioner  to  urge  the  dissolution  against  the  known  instructions  of  the 
congregation  ?  Ought  not  Presbytery,  under  the  circumstances,  to  have 
delayed  action  until,  through  a  commissioner,  they  could  hear  and  know 
the  reasons  of  the  congregation  "vvhy  the  resignation  ought  not  to  be 
accepted  ?'\  Proceeding  without  such  hearing,  the  congregation  unrepre- 
sented, are  not  the  acts  of  Presbytery  corai?i  non  jiidice  and  void  ? 

7.  Was  the  pro-re-nata  meeting  of  Presbytery  called  on  account  of  any 
"emergency"  or  "important  occurrences"  unknown  at  their  last  meeting  ? 
Was  the  time  improper,  on  account  ot  unusual  excitement  and  the  prevalence 
of  martial  law  preventing  the  attendance  of  members  ?  Were  the  proceed- 
ings unnecessarily  hastened  through  special,  small  and  partial  meetings  ? 
Was  the  resignation  of  Dr.  McPheeters  placed  in  the  hands  of  Presbytery 
freely  and  of  his  voluntary  choice,  or  M-as  that  act  constrained  by  the  pressure 
of  circumstances  ? 

Is  z. pro-re-7iata  meeting  (a  "  next  meeting")  within  the  meaning  of  the 
XVIIth  Chapter? 

Now,  Moderator,  I  have  gone  through  a  statement  oi  the  facts,  and  of 
the  grounds  of  complaint,  and  have  fairly  and  fully  stated  every  question 
and  issue  properly  and  legitimately  involved  in  the  case.  I  doubt  not  that 
many  who  may  have  given  me  their  attention  are  suprised  that  another  issue 
is  not  also  involved  in  this  case — namely,  an  issue  involving  the  question  of 
the  loyalty  and  good  faith  of  Dr.  McPheeters  to  the  Civil  Government. 
But,  sir,  there  is  no  such  issue  in  the  case — never  has  been.  No  such 
charge  has  ever  been  tabled  against  him.  He  has  never  been  called  upon 
to  plead  to  such  a  charge.  No  evidence  has  ever  been  offered,  or  pretended 
to  be  offered,  of  his  disloyalty.  He  has  never  been  afforded  the  opportunity 
to  meet  such  an  accusation  by  evidence  before  any  tribunal,  civil,  military  or 
ecclesiastical.  It  is  true,  the  public  has  seen  and  heard,  in  speeches  and 
publications,  insinuations  and  inuendoes;  and  the  local  Provost-Marshal  in 
St.  Louis,  without  the  form  of  charge,  or  trial,  or  hearing,  perhaps  on 
secret  information  furnished  by  some  of  the  loving  friends  of  Dr.  Mc- 
Pheeters,. assumed  him  to  be  disloyal.  No,  sir ;  no  such  charge  has  ever 
been  tabled  against  him  or  presented  in  a  place  or  form  to  admit  of  his 
defense.  And  neither  the  Session  nor  members  of  his  Church  have  ever 
adhered  to  him,  or  sustained  him  because  of  disloyalty  or  Southern  symp- 
athy, as  has  been  slanderously  insinuated. 

I  ask  the  General  Assembly  to  hear  Dr.  McPheeters'  own  language  on 
this  subject.     I  read  them  as  they  are  given  in  the  memorial  of  a  majority 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  231 

of  the  Ministers  and  Elders  of  St.  Louis  Presbytery  to  the  Assembly. 
(The  declaration  of  Dr.  McPheeters,  given  in  Memorial,  pages  7  and  8, 
was  here  read. )  You  see  here  how  he  acknowledges  and  asserts  his  true 
and  just  allegiance  to  the  Government.  You  have  heard  that  he  voluntarily 
subscribed  and  took  a  solemn  oath  of  allegiance,  invoking  the  judgment  of 
his  God  on  his  failure  faithfully  to  keep  and  observe  it.  Whatever  may  be 
the  faults  or  sins  of  Dr.  McPheeters,  hypocrisy  is  not  one  of  them ;  bad 
faith  and  falsehood  are  not  of  them.  You  may  confide  in  his  word — you 
may  rely  upon  his  oath.  I  have  said  this  much  on  the  subject,  not  because 
it  is  a  fact  to  be  passed  on  in  the  issues  of  this  case,  but  to  remove  any 
erroneous  impressions  that  may  have  been  made,  and  any  prejudices  engen- 
dered by  rumors,  or  insinuations,  or  unproved  charges,  whether  made 
publicly  or  privately. 

Some  may  ask  themselves  why  Dr.  McPheeters  has  left  this  point  with- 
out evidence.  Why  has  he  not  introduced  witnesses  and  proved  his  loyalty 
to  the  Government  ?  Now,  to  such  I  say,  don't  forget  that  Dr.  McPheeters 
has  had  no  opportunity  to  be  heard  or  give  any  evidence  in  this  case.  And 
don't  forget  that  if  he  had  even  been  present,  resisting  the  action  of  Pres- 
bytery, that,  as  there  was  no  charge  of  disloyalty,  it  was  not  competent  for 
him  to  offer  evidence  on  that  point,  and  no  court  could  have  heard  it.  And 
I  now  say,  that  to  offer  such  a  ground  here  for  sustaining  the  action  of  the 
Presbytery  would  be  a  mockery  of  justice  and  an  insult  to  the  understand- 
ing and  justice  of  the  judges  of  this  high  court  of  the  Church  and  a 
violation  of  the  plainest  provisions  of  our  Book  of  Discipline.  Chapter 
II,  Sec.  5- — ^^ If  any  person  shall  spread  the  knowledge  of  an  offense,  unless 
so  far  as  shall  be  unavoidable  in  prosecjiting  it  before  the  proper  judicatory^ 
or  in  the  due  performance  of  some  other  indispensable  duty,  he  shall  be 
liable  to  censure  as  a  slanderer  of  his  brethren." 

I  will  now  return  to  the  true  issues  in  the  case,  and  dispose  of  them  as 
briefly  as  possible.  And  here,  again,  let  me  remind  the  General  Assembly 
that  the  proceeding  entertained  and  prosecuted  before  Presbytery  was 
under  the  single  and  only  section  of  the  seventeenth  chapter  of  Form  of 
Government.     I  will  read  that  section : 

**  Chapter  XYII. — Of  resigning  a  pastoral  charge. — When  any  minister 
shall  labor  under  such  grievances  in  his  congregation  as  that  he  shall  desire 
leave  to  resign  his  pastoral  charge,  the  Presbytery  shall  cite  the  congrega- 
tion to  appear,  by  their  Commissioners,  at  their  next  meeting,  to  show 
cause,  if  any  they  have,  why  the  Presbytery  should  not  accept  the  resigna- 


•^32  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

tion.  If  the  congregation  fail  to  appear,  or  if  their  reasons  for  retaining 
their  pastor  be  deemed  insufficient,  he  shall  have  leave  gi-anted  to  resign  his 
pastoral  charge,  of  which  due  record  shall  be  made ;  and  that  Church  shall 
be  held  to  be  vacant  until  supplied  again  with  another  minister ;  and  if  any 
congregation  shall  desire  to  be  released  from  their  pastor,  a  similar  process, 
mutatis  f?iiitandis,  shall  be  observed." 

This  proceeding  was  not  on  the  application  of  the  congregation  to  be 
released  from  their  pastor,  but  it  was  on  the  resignation  of  the  pastor  placed 
in  the  hands  of  Presbytery.  It  is  not  required  that  the  pastor  desiring  to 
resign  shall  assign  any  reason  for  his  resignation,  but  only  and  simply  that 
he  shall  desire  leave  to  7-esign.  In  order  that  leave  may  be  granted,  it  is  not 
required  that  the  pastor  be  guilty  of  any  fault,  nor  is  it  necessary  that  his 
people  shall  be  at  fault.  The  leave  will  not  be  granted  merely  because  the 
pastor  wills  and  desires  it ;  the  people  of  his  charge  are  to  be  consulted,  and 
it  is  their  constitutional  right,  under  this  Chapter,  to  be  heard  in  their 
reasons  ^'7vhy  the  resigyiation  should  not  be  accepted.''''  There  is  no  au- 
thority for  the  congregation  to  send  Commissioners  to  urge  acceptance  of 
the  resignation  and  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation.  They  need  only 
^^fail  to  appear''''  if  they  do  not  oppose  the  resignation,  and  leave  will  be 
quietly  granted.  And  thus  the  peace  and  repose  of  the  Church  is  preserved, 
without  crimination  or  recrimination,  and  the  end  both  parties  desire  fully 
accomplished.  It  is  only  when  the  congregation  "desires  to  be  released 
from  their  pastor,"  and  are  opposed  by  their  pastor,  that  it  is  proper  for  the 
congregation  to  send  Commissioners  to  urge  the  dissolution.  By  a  fiction 
in  this  case  the  minority  was  considered  the  majority. 

But  my  object  in  calling  attention  to  this  chapter  and  the  proceedings 
under  it  at  this  stage  of  my  remarks,  is  to  show,  as  this  chapter  in  terms 
too  clear  to  be  disputed  does  show,  that  Dr.  McPheeters  having  offered 
his  resignation  when  the  congregation  was  cited  to  appear,  as  they  were  by 
Presbytery,  there  was  no  room  or  chance  or  authority  for  an  issue  or  con- 
troversy as  between  him  and  his  opposers,  but  only  between  him  and  his 
friends  in  the  congregation  who  desired  to  retain  him  as  pastor  and  opposed 
his  resignation.  They  only  could  make  an  issue  with  him,  and  only  then, 
when  a  majority  of  the  congregation,  they  had  the  right  to  notice  and  cita- 
tion, the  right  in  public  meeting  of  the  congregation  to  resolve  and  protest 
against  the  acceptance  of  the  resignation,  the  right  to  send  Commissioners 
to  Presbytery  to  urge  "  their  reasons  for  retaining  their  pastor."  A41  this 
is  too  clear  to  be  disputed,  and  yet  we  have  the  strange  anomaly  in  this  case 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.   D.  233 

of  a  resignation  by  the  pastor,  of  a  denial  and  ejection  of  a  majority  of  the 
congregation  from  their  right  to  be  heard  "why  the  resignation  should  not 
be  accepted,"  and  the  reception  and  hearing  of  a  Commissioner  from  the 
minority  to  urge  acceptance  of  the  resignation  and  a  dissolution  of  the  pas- 
toral relation ;  and,  strangest  of  all,  an  entry  on  the  solemn  and  sacred 
records  of  Presbytery,  a  High  Court  of  Jesus  Christ,  "that  tlie  request  of 
Pine  Street  Church  be  granted  and  the  pastoral  relation  dissolved,"  when  no 
such  request  had  ever  been  made ;  on  the  contrary,  a  solemn  protest  against  it. 

And  another  entry,  not  less  strange,  at  another  and  recent  meeting  of 
Presbytery,  giving  as  a  ground  for  dissolving  the  pastoral  relation,  not  the 
ground  stated  of  record  by  the  Presbytery  which  ordered  the  dissolution, 
to-wit :  "  the  request  of  Pine  Street  Church,''''  but  in  these  words  :  "  That 
inas7nuch  as  this  actioii  was  taken  by  Presbytery  in  the  exercise  of  its  power 
to  07'dain  whatever  pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  Churches  under 
their  care,''^  &c.  Had  this  been  so,  a  proceeding  essentially  different  from 
the  one  adopted  in  this  case  would  have  been  necessary.  Moderator,  we 
must  observ^e  and  adhere  to  proper  forms  and  modes  of  proceeding,  if  we 
would  avoid  confusion,  protect  the  rights  of  parties,  and  insure  the  ends  of 
justice. 

I  will  come  back  to  the  specific  grounds  of  complaint,  as  alleged. 

I.  Is  it  true  that  a  majority  of  the  members  of  Presbytery  did  not  and 
could  not  attend  by  reason  of  military  orders  ?  And  if  so,  how  does  this 
fact  affect  the  validity  or  propriety  of  the  action  of  Presbytery  ? 

The  minutes  of  Presbytery  show  that  only  eighteen  members  were  in 
attendance,  and  it  has  appeared  from  other  papers  before  the  General  As- 
sembly that  the  whole  number  is  nearly  sixty.  Then  it  is  clear  that  only  a . 
small  minority  was  in  attendance.  Why  was  it  that  a  large  majority  were 
absent  ?  The  General  Assembly  has  the  answer  to  this  question  given  in 
the  memorial  in  the  hands  of  the  General  Assembly,  from  members  com- 
posing that  majority. 

Speaking  of  the  letter  addressed  to  Gen.  Rosecrans  on  the  subject  of  his 
Church  order  already  alluded  to,  they  say:  "  Tt?  this  communication  no 
reply  has  yet  been  made,  and,  therefore,  neither  Dr.  McPheeters  nor  the 
majority  of  your  mefnorialists  could  conscientiously  attend  the  recent  meeting 
of  Presbytery  which  convened  on  the  6th  of  April,  1 864.  Then  it  is  clear 
the  majority  did  not  attend,  and  that  they  did  not  attend  because  of  this 
military  order. 

Now,   whether  the   conscientious   scruples  of  these  brethren  were  well 


234  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

grounded  I  will  not  argue.  I  defer  to  the  superior  learning  and  knowledge 
of  the  fathers  in  this  General  x\ssembly. 

It  suffices  for  me  that  they  abstained  from  attendance  out  of  respect  for 
the  military  authorities  of  the  Government,  to  whose  order  they  believed 
they  could  not  conform  without  a  violation  of  their  ordination  vows,  and 
without  admitting  a  power  outside  of  the  Church  to  fix  the  qualifications  and 
eligibility  of  the  members  of  the  Church  Courts.  I  ought  to  add  that  there 
was,  with  many  who  did  not  attend  Presbytery,  the  greatest  anxiety  to  be 
present,  as  is  manifest  to  the  General  Assembly  from  the  letter  addressed  to 
Gen.  Rosecrans.  Letters  were  addressed  to  learned  ministers  of  the  Church, 
where  they  were  free  from  the  disturbed  condition  of  things  prevalent  in 
Missouri,  for  their  opinions  and  advice,  and  their  opinions  and  ad\dce  con- 
curred with  the  views  of  the  majority.  The  leading  journals  of  the  Church 
concurred  in  the  same  view. 

Now,  I  respectfully  ask  the  General  Assembly  if  this  was  a  proper  time 
for  a  small  minority  within  the  bounds  of  Presbytery,  knowing  the  con- 
strained and  unwilling  absence  of  the  majority,  to  invade  the  quiet  and 
repose  of  a  Church  under  its  care,  and  on  the  request  of  only  nine  members 
of  that  Church,  and  without  notice  or  warning  to  the  remaining  members  or 
pastor,  suddenly  and  violently,  on  any  pretext,  separate  pastor  and  people, 
and,  more  than  this,  require  the  pastor  to  cease  all  connection  with  the 
Church. 

Nay,  I  ask  if  such  an  act,  under  such  circumstances,  can  have  any  validity  ? 
The  parties  interested  in  the  action  of  Presbytery,  the  pastor  and  his  people, 
had  a  right  to  the  protection  which  the  Presbytery,  under  free  and  full 
attendance,  could  give  them.  But  a  time  is  seized  upon  by  the  nine 
memorialists  who  sought  the  expulsion  of  Dr.  McPheeters  from  his  pulpit, 
in  his  absence,  without  the  knowledge  of  the  people,  and  when  the  majority 
that  could,  and  as  we  know  from  their  memorial  would,  have  been  their 
shield  and  protection,  was  prevented  from  attendance. 

The  second  ground  of  complaint  is,  that  the  action  of  Presbytery,  which 
concluded  Dr.  McPheeters  guilty  of  grave  fault,  was  had  and  taken  without 
notice  and  without  his  having  opportunity  to  be  heard. 

This  is  proved  by  the  minutes  and  proceedings  of  Presbytery.  I  have 
already  alluded  to  this  ground  of  objection,  and  will  give  it  but  brief  notice. 
The  action  of  Presbytery  was  based  on  a  charge  against  him  of  contumacy 
and  defiance  of  the  authority  of  his  Presbytery.  This  is  a  grave  charge 
against  a  minister,  and  against  which  he  surely  has  the  constitutional  right 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  235 

to  be  heard.  The  bare  statement  of  the  proposition  is  enough  to  command 
the  assent  of  every  minister  in  this  Assembly. 

But  I  will  call  the  attention  of  the  General  Assembly  to  the  nature  of  the 
action  and  decision  of  Presbytery. 

The  action  of  Presbytery  was  induced  by  a  memorial  of  nine  members  of 
Presbytery,  which  was  read  before  this  General  Assembly,  charging  Dr. 
McPheeters  with  conduct  ^^revolutionary  and  contumacious;^^  in  other 
words,  with  revolt  and  contumacy,  for  the  phraseology  of  the  charge  is  only 
matter  of  taste.  The  charge  is  none  the  less  a  substantial  charge.  That 
Presbytery  based  their  action  on  this  memorial  and  charge  is  shown  conclu- 
sively by  these  considerations  :  I.  It  is  recorded  and  spread  on  the  minutes 
immediately  preceding  the  orders  and  entries  complained  of,  and  could  have 
been  admitted  there  only  as  evidence ;  that  it  was  indorsed  by  Presbytery 
to  exhibit  of  record  the  facts  and  grounds  of  the  decision  and  action  of 
Presbytery.  2.  If  Presbytery  had  intended  merely  to  enforce  their  former 
action,  which  extended  only  to  the  dissolution  of  \hff.  pastoral  relation,  their 
action  would  have  been  limited  to  the  pastoral  relation.  But  it  was  not  thus 
limited.  Dr.  McPheeters  was  required  '*to  cease  the  exercise  of  the 
functions,  not  of  pastor  only,  but  of  a  minister  of  his  Church;  and,  more  than 
this,  he  was  required  to  cease  all  connection  with  his  Church.  Under  the 
first  action  appealed  from  to  Synod,  the  mere  dissolution  of  the  pastoral 
relation,  even  if  there  had  been  no  appeal,  the  Church  had  the  right  to  call 
on  him,  as  occasion  might  require,  to  preach  a  sermon  in  their  pulpit — had 
the  right  to  retain  him  as  a  supply ;  but  this  action  complained  of  to  this 
General  Assembly  drives  him  from  the  pulpit,  both  as  minister  and  pastor, 
and  locks  the  doors  of  the  Church  against  his  attendance  even  as  a  regular 
worshiper.  Surely  the  merest  tyro  in  ecclesiastical  courts  who  sat  in  Pres- 
bytery could  not  fail  to  know  that  to  warrant  and  sustain  such  action  the 
tabhng  of  charges  and  citation  and  an  orderly  hearing  M'ere  necessary,  and 
was  the  right  of  the  accused.  Look  at  this  proceeding  in  the  light  of  the 
provisions  of  our  Book  of  Discipline  : 

"Great  caution  ought  to  be  exercised  in  receiving  accusations  from  any 
person  who  is  knotvn  to  indulge  a  malignant  spirit  toward  the  accused ; 
who  is  not  of  good  character ;  who  is  himself  under  censure  or  process ; 
who  is  deeply  interested,  in  any  respect,  in  the  conviction  of  the  accused ;  or 
who  is  known  to  be  litigious,  rash  or  highly  imprudent. 

"When  a  judicatory  enters  on  the  consideration  of  a  crime  or  crimes 
alleged,  no  more  shall  be  done  at  the  first  meeting,  unless  by  consent  of 


236  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

parties,  than  to  give  the  accused  a  copy  of  each,  charged  with  the  names  of 
the  witnesses  to  support  it,  and  to  cite  all  concerned  to  appear  at  the  next 
meeting  of  the  judicatory  to  have  the  matter  fully  heard  and  decided. 

"  The  trial  shall  be  fair  and  impartial,  the  witnesses  shall  be  examined 
in  the  presence  of  the  accused ;  or,  at  least,  after  he  shall  have  received 
due  citation  to  attend,  and  he  shall  be  permitted  to  ask  any  questions  tending 
to  his  o7un  excnlpationy 

"Judicatories,  before  proceeding  to  trial,  ought  to  ascertain  that  their 
citations  have  been  duly  served  on  the  persons  for  whom  they  were  intended, 
and  especially  before  they  proceed  to  ultimate  meas7ires  for  co7itnmacy. 
Book  Discipline,  Chap.  4,  Sections  4,  5,  14,  15.  All  these  provisions  have 
been  disregarded,  and  the  very  offense  singled  out  as  one  never  to  be  pro- 
ceeded against  but  on  citation,  to-wit,  '■^  continnacy,''''  is  the  offense  charged 
in  the  memorial  and  the  items  on  the  minutes,  as  the  ground  and  basis  of 
the  action  of  Presbytery. 

The  third  ground  of  complaint  is,  that  Presbytery  erred  in  deciding,  as 
they  substantially  did  decide,  that  the  appeal  to  Synod  did  not  suspend 
proceedings  and  leave  Dr.  McPheeters  the  right  to  perform  ministerial 
functions  in  his  Church. 

I  ask  the  careful  attention  of  the  General  Assembly  to  this  ground  of 
complaint,  for,  without  intending  to  derogate  from  the  importance  of  other 
issues  involved,  this  issue  is  vital ;  for  if  there  was  an  appeal  from  Presby- 
tery to  Synod  pending  at  the  time  the  action  complained  of  was  had,  that 
fact  ends  all  question.  Now,  what  are  the  facts  before  the  General  As- 
sembly as  to  whether  there  was  such  an  appeal.  Our  complaint  alleges 
that  such  an  appeal  was  made,  existed,  and  still  exists  ;  alleges  that  notice  and 
reasons  were  in  due  time  and  properly  given,  and  the  appeal  is  made  part 
of  the  complaint.  The  written  notice,  with  reasons,  was  here  present, 
ready  to  be  used  before  the  General  Assembly,  and  both  parties  offered  to 
hear  it  read.  But  the  reading  was  objected  to,  and  it  was  not  read.  But 
the  minute?  of  Synod  were  read.  They  show  that  the  appeal  and  complaint 
was,  and  is  duly  pending  before  Synod;  that  the  appeal  and  complaint  was 
decided  by  Synod  to  be  in  order,  was  docketed  for  hearing,  and  continued, 
for  specified  reasons,  until  the  fall  term  of  Synod,  1864.  And  these  minutes 
have  been  approved  by  this  General  Assembly  at  its  .present  Session ;  and 
this  being  all  that  is  before  the  General  Assembly,  is  conclusive  of  the 
existence  and  pendency  of  the  appeal.  And,  if  we  are  confined  to  what  is 
before  the  General  Assembly,  there  is  no  room  for  argument ;  this  ground 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    MTHEETERS,    D.  D.  237 

must  be  sustained.  But  I  do  not  seek  to  avail  myself  of  what  may  be 
regarded  by  some  a  technicality.  I  will  proceed  to  notice  this  ground  of 
complaint  on  the  facts  as  they  would  have  appeared  if  the  notice  and  reasons 
had  been  read. 

On  this  point  I  suppose  all  will  concede  that  if  there  was  an  appeal,  the 
necessary  operation  of  the  appeal  was  to  suspend  proceedings,  until  it 
should  be  heard  before  Synod.  If  any  doubt,  I  refer  them  to  Book  of 
Discipline,  Chap,  vii,  3d  Sec.  $  15.  It  is  important,  then,  to  observe  with 
care,  and  see  if  there  was  an  appeal.  The  Book  of  Discipline  provides  that 
"Every  appellant  is  bound  to  give  notice  of  his  intention  to  appeal,  and  also 
to  lay  the  reasons  thereof,  in  writing,  before  the  judicatory  appealed  from, 
either  before  its  rising  or  within  ten  days  thereafter.  If  this  notice,  or 
these  reasons,  be  not  given  to  the  judicatory  while  in  session,  they  shall  be 
lodged  with  the  Moderator."  The  notice  required  is  the  notice  of  the 
reasons  of  the  appeal.  See  Assembly's  Digest,  case  of  Pew  Owners  of 
First  Church  in  Troy,  pp.  149-50.  Without  the  reasons,  there  is  no  valid 
notice.  This  notice,  and  it  must  be  in  writing,  may  be  given  before  the 
rising  of  the  judicatory  or  it  must  be  lodged  with  the  Moderator  within  ten 
days.  This  writing  must  show  for  itself,  and  is  what  it  purports  to  be,  an 
appeal  or  complaint,  or  both,  according  to  its  purport,  subject  of  course  to 
a  power  in  the  higher  Court  to  determine  its  character.  And  until  that 
character  is  decided  and  determmed  it  stands,  and  must  stand,  for  what  it 
purports  to  be.  Now,  in  this  case.  Elder  Greene,  representing  Pine  Street 
Church  in  the  Presbytery,  when  the  decision  was  made  verbally  announced 
his  purpose  to  complain  to  Synod,  as  appears  from  the  minutes.  The 
announcement,  in  point  of  fact,  was,  that  he  intended  to  appeal,  complain 
or  protest.  This  was  no  notice,  within  the  meaning  of  the  Book  of  Dis- 
cipline, was  not  intended  to  be,  for  it  was  not  in  writing  nor  did  it  give 
reasons. 

But  after  the  rising  of  Presbytery,  and  within  ten  days,  as  required,  he, 
as  the  Elder  from  Pine  Street  Church,  and  in  the  name  of  the  majority  of 
the  Church,  lodged  his  notice  of  an  appeal  and  complaint,  with  reasons  and 
grounds,  with  the  Moderator.  Whether  it  was  an  appeal  or  complaint,  or 
both,  must  be  first  determined  by  the  paper  itself;  and  in  express  terms  it 
is  an  "  appeal  and  complaint "  as  representative  of  the  Session  of  the  Church, 
and  in  the  name  of  the  majority  of  the  Church.  He  claims  that  he  has  a 
right  to  appeal  in  the  circumstances  of  this  case.  If  that  right  be  disputed, 
the  question  is  for  the  decision  of  Synod.     Who  else  shall  decide  it  ?  for  the 


238  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

most  important  consequences  would  result  from  leaving  the  power  any  where 
else.  His  appeal  was,  in  due  time,  carried  to  Synod,  and  by  Synod  received, 
and  on  the  minutes  recognized  as  an  appeal — I  may  say  decided  to  be  an 
appeal — docketed  accordingly,  and  is  there  pending  for  trial,  and  was  so 
pending  at  the  time  of  the  action  complained  of  by  Presbytery.  I  respect- 
fully insist  that  vrhatever  may  be  the  opinion  of  members  of  this  General 
Assembly  as  to  whether  there  was  the  right  of  appeal,  that  Synod  having 
received,  declared  it  in  order  as  an  appeal,  entered  and  docketed  it  as  an 
appeal,  Dr.  McPheeters  and  the  Church  were  not  only  authorized,  but 
bound  to  treat  and  regard  it  as  an  appeal,  and  to  conform  their  action 
accordingly ;  and  Presbytery  being  the  inferior  tribunal,  was  in  like  manner 
bound. 

But  I  respectfully  submit,  Moderator,  that  there  was  the  right  of  appeal 
in  this  case — that  appeals  will  lie  in  questions  in  regard  "to  the  creation 
and  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation."  (See  Assembly  Dig.,  page  142.) 
I  admit  that  the  right  of  appeal  is  continued  to  the  parties.  Who  are  the 
parties  in  this  case  ?  Clearly  Dr.  McPheeters,  on  the  one  hand,  and  his 
Church  and  congregation  on  the  other.  For  a  moment,  let  us  recall  the 
facts.  The  congregation,  when  cited  to  meet  and  respond  to  the  proposed 
resignation  of  the  pastor,  did  meet,  and,  by  an  overwhelming  majority, 
voted  and  protested  against  the  resignation ;  but,  under  mistake,  apparent 
from  the  proceedings,  left  and  went  home  without  appointing  Commissioners 
to  Presbytery  to  give  their  reasons.  The  members  who  remained  then 
appointed  Mr.  Strong — not  to  show  cause  against  accepting  the  resignation, 
but,  in  violation  of  the  Constitution,  to  urge  the  acceptance.  The  congre- 
gation, at  another  meeting,  reaffirmed  their  former  resolution  and  protest, 
and  instructed  Mr.  Strong,  if  he  could  not,  in  good  faith,  truly  represent 
the  wishes  of  the  congregation,  to  resign  the  appointment  given  him.  He 
did  not  resign,  but  appeared  before  Presbytery  and  urged  the  case  against 
the  congregation. 

Now,  there  is  no  provision  making  it  the  duty  of  the  Commissioner  to  do 
more  than  to  give  the  reasons  of  the  congregation  why  the  resignation  ought 
not  to  be  accepted;  and  yet  I  do  not  doubt  the  right  of  the  Commissioner 
to  take  the  appeal,  in  the  name  of  the  congregation,  would  be  allowed  and 
recognized.  'But  here  is  a  case  where  the  Commissioner  was  against  his 
congregation — had  not,  in  fact,  been  selected  and  sent  by  them.  Is  the  con- 
gregation, therefore,  to  be  deprived  of  the  right  of  appeal  ?  It  is  clear  they 
have  the  right  of  appeal :  there  is  no  provision  as  to  who  shall  make  it  for 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  239 

them  ;  their  numbers  prevent  them  from  making  it  in  person.  What  vahd 
reason  can  be  shown  why  an  Elder  of  their  own  Church,  elected  by  them- 
selves, emphatically  their  representative,  and,  at  the  same  time,  one  of 
themselves,  may  not,  in  their  own  name  and  his  own,  make  the  appeal? 
The  fact  that  a  Commissioner  would  be  allowed  to  do  so  is  no  reason  why 
their  Elder,  and,  at  the  same  time,  a  member  of  Presbytery,  may  not  do 
so.  If  he  can  not,  in  this  case  there  was  a  clear,  and  important,  and  sacred 
right,  and  no  means  of  enforcing  it.  To  deny  this  right  in  this  case  will 
be  to  permit  a  minority  to  take  advantage  of  its  own  wrong  by  preventing 
an  appeal.  Moderator,  let  such  a  construction  be  given  to  our  Constitution 
and  standards  as  will  protect  our  Churches  and  people  in  their  acknowledged 
rights,  and  defeat  injustice  and  \\Tong  in  whatever  forms  they  may  be 
developed. 

The  people  having  the  clear  right  of  appeal,  with  their  case  sent  up  for 
revision  in  the  higher  court,  let  no  unfair  technicality  deprive  them  of  their 
pastor  until  final  decision  may  be  against  them. 

The  fourth  ground  of  complaint  is,  that  Presbytery,  in  part,  based  its 
action  on  ex-parie  statements  of  George  P.  Strong  and  others,  made  ver- 
bally and  not  kept  of  record. 

On  this  head  I  have  but  a  single  remark  to  make.  I  have  had  long 
experience  in  the  Courts  ;  have  not  been  an  inattentive  observer.  Such  a 
practice  would  not,  for  a  moment,  be  tolerated  in  Civil  Courts ;  and  I  do 
not  hesitate  to  say,  that  if  this  practice  is  allowed  and  tolerated  in  Church 
Courts,  and  men  having  their  feelings  deeply  enlisted  and  anxious  for  a 
certain  result  are  permitted  in  this  way  in  the  absence  of  adverse  parties 
to  make  statements  and  speeches  to  our  Courts,  great  injustice  will  often  be 
done.  This  was  certainly  an  irregularity — by  itself,  perhaps,  not  fatal  to  the 
action  of  Presbytery,  but  added  to  other  things,  strengthens  the  grounds 
of  reversal. 

The  fifth  ground  is,  that  the  action  of  Presbytery  was  in  disregard  of  the 
voice  and  rights  of  the  majority  of  the  congregation ;  was  injurious  to  Pine 
Street  Church  and  to  the  interests  of  rehgion. 

This  ground  of  complaint  is  of  great  practical  importance,  and  its  decision 
will  materially  affect  the  peace  and  interests  of  all  our  Churches  ;  for  there  is 
no  Church,  or  at  least  but  few  Churches,  which,  in  respect  to  the  pastor, 
have  not  a  majority  and  a  minority — sometimes  larger,  sometimes  smaller. 
And  if  the  decision  of  this  General  Assembly  shall  be  such  as  to  encourage 
a  minority  to  persevering  clamor  and  strife  until  the  majority  shall  be  wea- 


240  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

ried  and  worried  into  the  purchase  of  their  peace  on  any  terms  and  at  any 
price,  and  thus  be  made  to  yield  to  the  minority,  then  farewell  to  all  peace 
as  well  as  all  prosperity  in  our  Churches.  It  is  one  of  the  most  admirable 
features  of  the  teachings  of  our  Church  that  a  controlling  power  in  such 
matters  as  belong  to  the  congregation  is  in  the  majority,  and  the  minorities 
are  taught  the  duties  of  submission  and  conformity  to  the  will  and  voice  of 
the  majority.  Where  there  is  a  difference  between  a  majority  and  a  minority, 
both  can  not  have  their  views ;  they  can  not  keep  up  contention  and  strife 
without  destroying  the  peace  of  the  Church ;  nay,  contention  and  strife  will 
put  at  peril  the  very  life  of  all  piety  in  any  Church  so  afflicted.  One  party 
or  the  other  must  yield  in  a  Christian  spirit  and  embrace  each  other  in  the 
bonds  of  fraternal  peace,  or  far  better  for  the  cause  and  interests  of  rehgion 
would  it  be  for  such  a  Church  to  be  disbanded  and  no  more  exhibit  before 
the  world  the  devil's  w^ork  of  contention  and  strife. 

Now,  in  this  case  the  majority  is  admitted,  and  facts  before  the  Assembly 
show  it  to  be  a  large  majority ;  yet  now,  for  not  months  only,  but  for  years, 
has  the  minority  denied  and  defied  their  voice  and  rights,  and  with  outside 
help  the  minority  has  succeeded  in  subjecting  the  majority  to  the  severest 
and  sorest  trials. 

How  much  longer  is  this  warfare  to  continue  ?  "When  is  peace  again  to 
visit  our  little  flock  ?  We  have  trusted  that  under  God  the  General  Assem- 
bly will  adopt  some  action  that  will  stay  a  strife  that  has  long  brought 
reproach  on  the  cause  of  religion. 

It  is  also  said  in  this  ground  of  complaint  that  the  action  of  Presbytery  is 
injurious  to  Pine  Street  Church  and  the  interests  of  rehgion.     For  the  truth 
of  this  I  refer  the  General  Assembly  to  the  facts  stated  in  the  complaint. 
-  I  have  already  remarked  on  the  sixth  ground  of  complaint. 

The  seventh  ground  of  complaint  is  that  the  pro-re-tiata  meetings  were 
irregularly  called.  There  had  been  no  "emergency"  or  "  important  occur- 
rences" unknown  at  their  last  meeting.  [See  loth  chap.  loth  sec.  Form 
Gov.  Assembly's  Dig.,  p.  231.]  The  regular  spring  session  of  Presbytery 
had  a  few  weeks  only  before  adjourned,  and  the  true  condition  of  Pine 
Street  Church  was  then  fully  known  to  its  members.  There  had  been 
occurrences  outside  of  the  Church.  The  department  commander  was  about 
to  be  changed,  and  Marmaduke,  commanding  a  brigade  of  rebels,  had  in- 
vaded the  State,  an  unusual  state  of  alarm  and  excitement  prevailed,  martial 
law  was  being  rigorously  enforced,  and  the  time  was  now  favorable  for 
the  result  sought  to  be  accomplished.     The  minority  saw  that  this  time  was 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  24! 

** flood  tide,"- that  *'led  on  to  fortune."  The  state  of  things  was  such,. 
and  the  outside  pressure  upon  Dr.  McPheeters  and  his  friends  such,  that 
he  was  compelled,  as  the  only  means  for  himself  and  friends  to  escape  trying 
persecutors,  as  he  and  they  believed,  to  place  his  resignation  in  the  hands 
of  Presbytery.  And  hence  arose  occasion  for  an  apparent  issue  between 
himself  and  his  congregation. 

But  all  occasion  for  such  an  issue  has  now  passed  away.  We  had  for  a 
year  been  laboring  under  a  mistake  in  supposing  that  he  had  been  debarred 
from  his  pulpit,  with  the  sanction  and  by  authority  of  President  Lincoln, 
when  in  fact,  from  the  very  first,  Mr.  Lincoln  had  decided  that  the  act  of 
the  local  military  authorities  had  been  in  error  and  without  authority  of  law, 
and  ordered  General  Curtis  to  restore  him  to  all  his  rights  as  a  minister,  an 
order  that  had  not  been  obeyed  for  more  than  a  whole  year.  And  it  was 
while  he  was  thus  excluded  from  his  pulpit,  from  his  Church  courts,  and 
not  permitted  to  appear  in  his  own  defense  and  vindication,  bound  hand  and 
foot,  defenseless  and  helpless,  that  the  minority  of  the  Church,  with  an 
ardor  and  zeal  worthy  of  a  better  cause,  were  urging  ex  parte  proceedings 
against  him,  seeking  to  vacate  his  pulpit.  And  during  the  whole  progress 
of  these  proceedings,  here  before  this  General  Assembly  is  the  first  time 
that  he  has  been  afforded  an  opportunity  to  appear  and  be  heard  in  his  own 
defense  and  vindication.  I  need  not  ask  here  for  a  particular  hearing  for 
him.  He  is  worthy  of  such  a  hearing.  He  has  learning,  talent,  piety  and 
efficiency  that  entitle  him  to  a  place  in  the  front  ranks  of  our  ministry.  He 
is  distinguished  by  those  amiable  and  lovely  traits  of  character,  by  that 
simple,  trusting,  affectionate  faith,  combined  with  a  love  of  truth  and  a  firm- 
ness to  maintain  it,  so  well  calculated  to  secure  the  confidence  and  love  of 
his  people  as  well  as  the  respect  and  admiration  of  the  world. 

So  his  congregation  believes  of  him,  so  they  esteem  him,  and  it  will  be  to 
them  a  bitter,  bitter  grief  to  have  him  torn  from  them.  Moderator,  in  the 
name  of  his  people,  I  enter  their  solemn  protest  against  any  such  result,  on 
this  our  appeal  to  the  justice  of  the  highest  courts  of  our  Church. 


16 


242  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 


CHAPTER    XIY. 

DR.  m'pHEETERS    speech    BEFORE  THE    ASSEMBLY   IN    NEWARK. 

During  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly  Dr.  McPheeters  was 
allowed  to  speak  for  himself.  He  addressed  the  tribunal  as 
follows : 

Moderator :  It  is  v.ith  no  ordinary  feeling  that  I  appear  before  this 
venerable  Court,  and  find  what  I  have  so  long  sought,  and  sought  in  vain — 
an  opportunity  of  saying  something  in  my  own  defense.  For,  strange  as  it 
ought  to  appear  in  the  history  of  an  American  and  a  Presbyterian,  I  stand 
before  you  a  citizen  who  has  been  banished ;  a  minister  who  has  been  sus- 
pended from  his  ministry ;  a  pastor  who  has  been  driven  from  his  flock, 
and  a  preacher  who  has  been  forbidden  to  preach ;  and  yet  up  to  this  day, 
neither  as  citizen,  minister  nor  pastor,  have  I  had  an  opportunity  of  uttering 
one  word  in  vindication  of  myself  before  any  Court,  military  or  ecclesiastical ; 
and  not  only  so,  but  as  if  nothing  should  be  wanting  to  make  my  case  anoma- 
lous, under  the  forms  of  martial  law  I  have  been  judged  and  condemned  for 
supposed  offenses  which,  if  offenses,  were  purely  ecclesiastical;  and  under 
the  forms  of  ecclesiastical  law  I  have  been  judged  and  condemned  for 
offenses  which  were  purely  civil.  And  as  this  is  the  first  and  may  be  the 
last  opportunity  I  shall  have  of  saying  anything  in  my  defense,  I  ask  the 
fathers  and  brethren  here  met  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  to  give  me  a 
patient  and  impartial  hearing :  and  pardon  me  when  I  remind  the  members 
of  the  Court  that  there  are  matters  connected  with  my  case  well  calculated 
to  prejudice  them  against  me ;  many  things  have  appeared  in  the  papers  well 
calculated  to  bias  your  judgments.  And  I  think  I  have  a  right,  though  it 
bears  only  indirectly  upon  the  issues  of  this  case,  to  make  some  statements 
in  relation  to  myself  and  the  mihtary  authorities  then  governing  Missouri. 
I  am  not  here,  however,  to  bring  charges  against  these  officers  of  the  Govern- 
ment, and  I  would  omit  the  whole  matter  if  it  did  not  in  my  judgment  have  a 
direct  bearing  on  the  action  of  my  Presbytery,  and,  unexplained,  would,  con- 
sciously or  unconsciously,  have  a  controlling  influence  on  the  result  you  will 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  243 

.  reach.  Allow  me,  then,  in  the  briefest  way  I  can,  to  give  you  some  facts  in  the 
history  of  the  difficulties  of  Pine  Street  Church,  which,  in  their  development 
and  progress,  have  become  matters  of  the  deepest  interest  to  the  Churches 
in  Missouri  and  involve  questions  of  the  gravest  importance  to  the  whole 
Church  of  God.  In  the  summer  of  i860,  by  the  advice  of  my  physicians  and 
with  the  consent  of  my  Church,  I  left  St.  Louis  to  spend  a  year  in  Xew  Mexico 
for  my  health.  It  was  while  I  was  in  that  Territory  that  our  present  fearful 
civil  war  began.  Every  one  who  knows  anything  of  the  history  of  Missouri 
knows  that  at  first  it  was  doubtful  on  which  side  that  State  would  take  her 
stand.  Now,  sir,  it  so  happened  in  the  Providence  of  God  that  in  May,  1 86 1, 
I  addressed  to  my  Church  a  pastoral  letter,  calling  their  attention  to  some  of 
the  duties  of  Christians  in  view  of  our  civil  strife.  In  that  letter,  which  I  now 
hold  in  my  hand,  I  stated  distinctly  the  course  which,  as  a  matter  of  principle 
and  conscience,  I  intended  to  pursue  upon  my  return  to  my  pastoral  charge. 
And  the  precise  line  of  conduct  marked  out  for  myself  in  that  letter,  written 
in  that  remote  place — written  when  I  was  wholly  ignorant  of  the  polit- 
ical views  of  my  charge — written  when  the  status  of  Missouri  was  uncer- 
tain— written  when  men  felt  free  to  utter  their  innermost  thoughts,  is  just 
the  line  of  conduct  which,  my  enemies  being  judges,  I  have  steadily  pur- 
sued. I  thank  God  that  in  His  Providence  I  was  led  to  write  that  pastoral 
letter,  for,  while  I  know  it  is  no  evidence  that  the  positions  then  taken  are 
wise  or  right,  it  is  evidence  that  they  were  positions  taken  from  a  sense 
of  duty,  and  it  gives  me  the  means  of  refuting  the  cruel  slander  and  wicked 
insinuation  that  my  ministerial  conduct  has  been  determined  not  by  convic- 
tion of  duty,  but  by  hostility  to  the  Government  ^under  w^hich  I  live. 

I  will  read  an  extract  to  show  my  position  at  that  time.  The  letter  is 
dated  Fort  Union,  New  Mexico,  May  14,  1861 :  "As  from  time  to  time 
intelligence  has  reached  this  place  from  the  States,  my  heart  has  been  filled 
with  sadness  and  gloom  beyond  the  power  of  words  to  express.  For  a 
time  I  did  hope  that  a  merciful  and  long  suffering  God  would  in  His  Provi- 
dence interpose  and  shield  the  country  from  civil  war  and  its  necessary 
horrors ;  the  latest  news,  however,  leaves  no  doubt  on  my  mind  that  the 
Divine  arm  is  bare  to  smite  our  land  with  His  terrible  but  righteous  judg- 
ments. I  feel  sure  that  before  this  commnnication  reaches  you  a  civil  war 
will  be  begun,  the  end  and  result  of  which  no  human  foresight  can  predict. 

*'  In  these  circumstances,  I  feel  an  irresistible  inclination  to  address  you 
a  pastoral  letter  upon  some  points  which  it  seem.s  important  to  bring  dis- 
tinctly before  your  mind  at  such  a  time  as  this.     With  the  purely  civil  and 


244  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETER5,    D.  D. 

political  questions  which  now  shake  the  country  to  its  centre  I  do  not  feel 
called  upon,  either  as  your  pastor  or  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  to  speak.  I 
am  rejoiced  that  my  duty,  as  well  as  my  inclination,  leads  me  into  a  higher, 
purer,  and  better  sphere  than  this.  No,  dear  brethren,  I  wish  to  address 
you,  not  as  a  friend  or  advocate  of  any  party  or  section,  but  as  an  ambassa- 
dor of  One  "whose  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world."  So  far  from  wishing 
to  swell  with  my  voice  the  din  of  words  uttered  by  any  section  or  party,  I 
wish  to  say  something  about  your  duties  to  Christ  and  his  kingdom — some- 
thing about  the  obligations  and  dangers  which  belong  to  you  as  Christians, 
living  in  the  circumstances  which  surround  you." 

Soon  after  writing  this  letter  I  returned  to  Missouri.  Removed,  as  I 
had  been,  from  the  intense  political  excitement  which  prepared  the  way  for 
and  culminated  in  civil  war,  I  can  never  forget  the  impression  made  upon 
me  as  soon  as  I  reached  the  western  extremity  of  Missouri,  and  entered,  as 
it  were,  the  outer  circle  of  the  mighty  whirhvind  of  passion  and  excitement 
which  seemed  to  agitate  and  control  the  entire  population.  I  was  filled  with 
amazement  and  sorrow,  and,  to  tell  the  simple  truth,  there  was  the profotmd- 
est  7'ecoil  of  my  soul  from  nearly  every  tiling  I  saw  or  heard.  And  long 
before  I  reached  home  I  had  formed  a  fixed  resolution  on  two  points  :  one 
was,  as  a  citizen  to  do  all  duties  plainly  enjoined  upon  me  by  the  Word  of 
God;  and  the  other  was,  both  as  a  citizen  and  minister^  to  stand  aloof,  as 
far  as  possible,  from  the  whole  civil  contest.  How  far  this  last  resolution 
was  wase  or  even  possible  I  am  not  arguing,  I  state  it  simply  as  a  fact — a 
fact  that  vrill  help  to  explain  much  of  my  conduct  and  more  of  my  troubles. 

Upon  reaching  home  I  was  cheered  by  the  condition  of  my  Church.  It 
was  in  a  state  of  peace  and  apparent  harmony,  and  still  more  was  I  pleased 
when,  frankly  stating  to  the  members  of  the  Church  the  course  I  had 
marked  out  for  myself,  every  one,  without  exception,  said  it  met  their  cordial 
approval. 

The  following  spring,  against  my  desire,  I  was  sent  as  a  Commissioner 
to  the  General  Assembly  that  met  in  Columbus,  Ohio.  It  will  be  remem- 
bered by  all  that  Dr.  Breckinridge's  paper  on  the  state  of  the  country  was 
introduced  at  that  time  and  was  passed  by  the  Assembly.  Some  of  you 
may  also  recollect  that  I  was  one  of  a  small  minority  who  opposed  it  on  the 
floor  and  protested  against  it  when  it  passed.  The  debate  on  the  paper  was 
published  in  the  secular  journals,  and  my  remarks  were  made  the  ground 
of  a  characteristic  assault  by  one  or  two  of  the  most  violent  party  papers  in 
St.  Louis,  and,  for  some  time  after,  the  assault  was  kept  up  in  short  anony- 


245 


mous  pieces,  strangely  malignant  and  ^recklessly  false.  In  the  meantime 
the  political  excitement  in  Missouri  was  increasing.  The  two  parties,  since 
known  as  the  radicals  and  conservatives,  were  struggling  into  birth,  and 
even  then  giving  premonitions  of  the  agitation  soon  to  follow.  The  com- 
munity was  divided,  restless,  excited;  and,  simultaneously  with  this  struggle 
in  the  State,  there  began  to  be  signs  of  a  corresponding  agitation  in  the 
Churches. 

I  learned  afterward  that  the  Provost-Marshal-General  at  the  time  acting 
took  so  much  offense  at. what  I  did  in  that  Assembly  that  he  at  one  time  \vas 
determined  to  arrest  me  on  my  return  to  the  city. 

About  the  same  time  a  question  arose  between  me  and  a  minority  in  my 
Church  upon  this  point.  They  wished  me  to  give  them  for  publication  a 
statement  of  my  views  and  personal  position  on  the  questions  agitating  and 
dividing  the  country ;  and  this  they  demanded  of  me  as  their  pastor. 

I  denied  the  right  they  had  to  ask  me  as  their  pastor  such  questions,  and 
I  declined  answering. 

Into  this  matter  I  do  not  intend  to  go,  as  it  does  not  properly  come  into 
the  question  at  issue  before  the  General  Assembly;  it  would  open  a  wide 
field  in  bringing  in  some  grave  personal  questions  which,  in  my  judgment, 
should  not  be  here  discussed  and  which  I  will  not  introduce. 

This  question  between  myself  and  a  small  minority  of  my  Church  was  a 
question  they  had  a  perfect  right  to  carry  before  my  Presbytery  ;  and  if  they 
had  done  so  that  court  might  have  given  a  deliverance  that  would  have 
settled  the  whole  thing,  either  by  my  resigning  my  pastoral  charge  or  by 
these  brethren  being  brought  to  change  their  mind.  At  that  time  it  would 
have  been  an  easy  matter  to  have  dissolved  the  pastoral  relation ;  in  fact, 
nothing  but  a  most  earnest  remonstrance  signed  by  six  out  of  seven  Elders 
and  by  four-fifths  of  the  Church  prevented  me  from  tendering  my  resignation. 

Most  unfortunately  this  question,  which  I  regarded  as  only  a  question  of 
a  pastor's  rights  and  duties,  instead  of  being  taken  up  and  issued  by  a 
Church  Court,  by  some  7nea7ts  got  before  a  very  different  court ;  and  as  this 
and  what  grew  out  of  it  has  made  an  impression  calculated  to  prejudice  my 
case,  and  as  the  action  of  Presbytery  was  influenced,  if  not  determined,  by 
this  event,  I  must  be  permitted  to  explain  this  matter  of  my  arrest,  and 
show  what  course  I  felt  constrained  to  pursue  in  connection  with  it. 

On  the  day  of  its  date  I  received  the  order  of  banishment. 

The  reception  of  this  order  from  an  official  was  the  first  thing  I  heard  of 
it ;  there  had  been  no  examination  of  me,   no  trial.     Now,   it  is  proper  to 


246  MEiMOlR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

state  that  there  had  been  a  change  in  the  office  of  Provost-Mai-shal-General 
in  November.*  For  a  few  months  before  November  one  of  the  ablest 
lawyers  of  Missouri  held  that  position.  It  was  while  he  was  in  office  that 
I  first  heard  rumors  that  the  affairs  of  Pine  Street  Church  and  its  pastor 
were  subjects  of  discussion  among  some  of  the  members  of  the  Church  as 
things  that  the  military  might  take  in  hand.  Hints  were  time  and  again 
thrown  out  that  the  mmority  might,  if  so  disposed,  have  possession  of  Pine 
Street  Church  by  military  authority.  I  therefore  waited  upon  both  the 
District  Provost-Marshal  and  the  Provost-Marshal-General  and  requested, 
if  charges  were  made  against  me  or  the  Church  of  which  I  was  pastor, 
that  I  might  have  an  opportunity  of  making  explanation  and  de^nse  before 
any  action  should  be  taken.  The  reply  of  the  Provost-Marshal-General 
would  have  entirely  removed  any  apprehension,  if  I  had  entertained  any. 
He  said,  at  once,  that  he  had  nothing  to  do  with  churches  or  ministers,  as 
such.  He  only  dealt  with  citizens.  If  anything  disloyal  was  done  by  any 
citizen,  no  matter  where  it  was  done,  he  would  hold  him  responsible. 
But  he  would  not  entertain  a  charge  against  a  Church  and  would  take  no 
part  in  their  disputes.  He  told  me  further  that  he  knew  of  no  charge 
against  me  in  the  office,  and  that  if  I  was  accused  he  would  hear  my 
defense.     This  was  entirely  satisfactory  to  me. 

How  much  I  wish  this  course  had  been  pursued.  I  believe  it  would  have 
saved  a  world  of  trouble  to  myself  and  Pine  Street  Church,  for,  if  called 
upon,  I  was  prepared  to  make  answer  about  any  part  of  my  conduct  as  a 
citizen.  I  would  have  shown  the  authorities  that  my  allegiance  to  the 
United  States  and  the  State  of  Missouri  I  not  only  acknowledged,  but  in 
the  form  and  manner  prescribed  by  law  had  voluntarily  certified,  under 
the  solemnity  of  an  oath,  that  what  pledges  the  State  asked  I  had  given.  I 
would  have  shown  that,  as  a  matter  of  conscience  and  as  a  matter  of  fact, 
I  obeyed  all  laws  and  was  subject  to  all  civil  and  military  authorities.  I 
would  have  admitted,  as  is  obviously  true,  that  a  citizen,  while  acknowledg- 
ing his  allegiance  and  keeping  clearly  within  the  language  of  his  oath — while 
violating  no  law  upon  the  statute  book  and  rendering  formal  obedience  to 
the  constituted  authorities,  might  in  times  like  these  pursue  a  course  of  con- 
duct the  design,  purpose,  or  evident  effect  of  which  so  obviously  tended  to 
breed  discontent,  to  ferment  discord,  or  to  obstruct  the  legitimate  action  of 
Government  as  to  make  him  not  only  a  bad  citizen,  but  even  an  intolerable 
member  of  an  agitated  community;  and,  admitting  this,  I  would  have  asked 
where  was  the  man  who  would  dare  charge  me  with  a  word  written  or 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  247 

spoken,  or  an  act  in  public  or  in  private,  justly  chargeable  with  such  an 
ofifense?  Now,  sir,  I  ask  you  to  look  at  this  order.  Does  it  not  lie  upon 
the  very  surface  that  my  resisting  the  right  of  a  few  members  of  my  Church 
to  drag  me,  as  a  pastor,  before  the  pubHc,  on  my  personal  and  private  views 
of  civil  and  political  matters,  is  the  ground  of  the  action  against  me  ?  It  is 
not  Samuel  B.  McPheeters,  a  citizen  of  Missouri,  who  has  done  thus  and 
so.  I  rejoice  that  those  who  accused  me  found  "none  occasion"  against 
me  "concerning  the  kingdom,"  and  they  would  have  had  none  except  they 
found  it  against  me  concerning  what  I  considered  the  law  of  my  God.  This 
order,  as  far  as  I  can  see,  does  not  contemplate  the  citizen;  it  is  "the  Rev. 
Samuel  B.  McPheeters,  Pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church."  "Well,  sir,  what 
has  the  Pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church  done?"  "  He  refused,  when  urged 
by  certain  loyal  members  of  his  congregation,  to  avow  his  sentiments  openly, 
and  to  take  a  stand  in  favor  of  the  Government."  Then  follows  his  course 
in  the  General  Assembly  of  his  Church.  "He  has  used  all  the  influence 
of  his  ministerial  character  to  prevent  the  body  of  the  Church  with  which 
he  is  connected  from  manifesting  or  declaring  its  loyalty  to  the  Govern- 
ment." 

There  are  many  in  this  house  to-day  who  were  members  of  that  Assem- 
bly ;  they  will  remember  that  what  I  then  said  was  on  the  constitutional 
right  of  a  Church  Court  to  pass  such  a  resolution,  and  on  the  inexpediency 
of  the  thing.  Some  of  the  best  men  in  the  Church  took  the  same  view. 
But  I  no  more  dreamed  that  an  argument  upon  the  expediency  or  constitu- 
tutionality  of  the  General  Assembly  adopting  a  paper  submitted  to  them — 
an  argument  which  even  those  who  failed  to  see  its  force  could  not  fail  to 
see  was  guarded,  temperate,  and  absolutely  free  from  all  allusion  to  political 
questions — sir,  I  no  more  dreamed  that  such  an  argument  would  have  been 
considered  an  offense  against  the  peace  of  Missouri  and  an  evidence  of  dis- 
loyalty than  I  dreamed  that  my  declaring  myself  a  subject  of  King  Jesus 
could  be  considered  an  act  of  high  treason  against  the  State. 

And,  further  stiU :  "He  has  refused  to  observe,  in  their  obvious  meaning 
and  intent,  the  recommendations  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  the 
various  Churches."  The  only  recommendation  I  remember  made  at  that 
time  was  the  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  and  I  did  observe  that,  and  with  all 
my  soul  I  called  upon  the  people  of  my  charge  to  humble  themselves  before 
God  and  repent,  if  so  be  that  God  would  look  upon  us  that  we  perish  not. 

Xor  is  this  all,  nor  is  it  the  worst.  The  Pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church  has 
not  been  the  only  offender.     The  Session  and  the  congregation  have  sinned 


248  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

in  sustaining  him,  and  they  are  punished  by  having  the  control  of  the  build- 
ing and  the  records  taken  out  of  their  hands  and  put  into  the  hands  of  a 
military  commission.  The  church  is  taken,  not  for  a  hospital,  not  for  bar- 
racks, not  for  any  military  use,  but  as  a  Church,  and  to  be  conducted  as  a 
Church ;  and  it  so  happens  that  this  commission  is  the  very  committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  minority  of  Pine  Street  Church  to  conduct  the  correspond- 
ence, and  they  are  by  order  to  select  the  minister  whose  preaching  this 
Church  shall  hear,  and  his  one  qualification  is  specified,  and  that  not  piety 
or  orthodoxy,  but  "loyalty." 

Sir,  it  is  no  part  of  my  purpose  before  this  body  to  arraign  the  officers  of 
the  Government  for  what  they  did  in  this  matter.  I  wish  to  be  fair  to  them. 
While  I  have  complained  of  their  bringing  military  authority  to  bear  upon 
Church  matters,  I  always  remember  the  circumstances  under  which  they 
acted.  The  State  was  agitated,  and  had  been  recently  convulsed  by  armed 
resistance  to  the  national  authority.  Absolute  power  was  committed  to 
their  hands  to  see  that  the  Stale  suffered  no  damage.  Neither  my  ministry, 
nor  my  pastorate,  nor  my  pulpit  gave  me  any  exemption  if  I  disturbed  the 
State.  They  had  a  right  to  drag  me  from  the  altar  of  God  if  I  made  that 
altar  a  place  to  carry  out  plans  of  sedition.  They  ought  in  justice,  however, 
to  have  heard  my  defense,  and  they  should  have  refrained  from  laying  any 
hands  on  the  rights  of  Christ's  Church. 

The  day  after  this  order  was  issued  the  Session  met,  and  under  solemn 
protest  declared  they  were  ready  to  hand  the  Church  edifice,  records  and 
books  over  to  the  military  commission,  and  declared  their  authority  super- 
seded while  the  order  should  last. 

For  myself,  feehng  not  only  that  the  hberty  of  the  Church  of  God  was 
invaded,  but  that  the  honor  of  the  Government  was  involved,  I  determined 
at  once  to  lay  the  whole  matter  before  the  authorities  at  Washington.  I 
prepared  a  formal  paper  addressed  to  the  Attorney-General,  and  asked, 
whatever  was  done  with  me,  that  the  wrongs  done  to  the  Church  of  Christ 
might  not  be  allowed.  Upon  further  consideration  I  determined  not  to 
send  the  papers,  but,  accompanied  by  an  elder  of  the  Church,  to  carry  them 
in  person  to  Washington.  I  immediately  waited  upon  the  Attorney-General, 
and,  showing  him  the  order,  was  told  by  him  that  the  case  did  not  come  in 
his  department.  I  asked  him  to  assist  me  in  getting  audience  with  the 
President,  which  he  kindly  promised  to  do  on  the  next  day;  and  being 
anxious  to  have  what  I  said  in  writing,  and  not  having  time  or  strength  that 
night  to  change  the  form  of  my  papers,  I  read  to  Mr.  Lincoln  the  paper 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  249 

which  I  had  prepared  at  home  for  the  Attorney- General,  but  which  I  had 
not  shown  him,  and  about  which  I  had  no  conversation  with  the  Attorney- 
General  further  than  I  have  just  related.  I  will  read  the  paper  to  show 
what  view  I  took  of  this  order  and  what  objection  I  made  to  it.  I  wish  to 
show  you  that  in  all  this  matter  I  have  been  contending  for  the  kingly  rights 
of  Christ  in  His  Church  : 

St.  Louis,  !Mo.,  December  23,   1S62. 
Hon.  Edivard  Bates,  Attorney-General  of  the  United  States : 

Dear  Sir  :  Knowing  how  much  your  time  is  occupied  in  the  discharge 
of  the  duties  of  your  office,  it  is  with  extreme  reluctance  that  I  ask  your 
consideration  of  the  case  which  I  have  to  submit.  And  if  it  were  an  indi- 
vidual or  private  matter,  or  one  of  small  moment,  I  would  not  trouble  you ; 
but  it  is  one  so  important  in  the  principle  involved,  and  may  be  so  far- 
reaching  in  its  consequences,  that  I  feel  compelled  to  call  your  official  atten- 
tion to  it. 

Inclosed  I  send  you  an  order  of  Major-General  Curtis,  and  the  documents 
and  papers  connected  with  and  resulting  in  this  order. 

From  these  papers  it  will  be  seen  that  a  question  of  a  purely  ecclesiastical 
nature  has  been  raised  between  some  of  the  members  of  my  Church  and 
myself  as  to  the  rights  involved  in  the  relation  of  a  pastor  to  his  people,  to- 
wit :  Whether  the  members  of  a  Presbyterian  Church  have  a  right  to  de- 
mand of  their  pastor  that  he  should  define,  in  writing,  his  views  and  position 
on  civil  and  political  questions.  For  the  reasons  set  forth  at  large  in  the 
accompanying  documents  I  denied  and  resisted  this  claim  of  right.  ISIy 
whole  action  in  this  matter  has  been  the  result  of  religious  convictions  and 
my  life -long  views  of  the  nature  and  duty  of  the  Gospel  ministry.  The 
members  of  my  Church  who  made  this  demand  at  first  tried  to  coerce 
obedience  by  ecclesiastical  means.  They  tried  to  get  a  majority  of  the 
Church  to  ask  for  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation.  In  this  they  utterly 
failed.  Four-fifths  of  the  Church  and  all  of  the  Church  Session,  numbering 
seven,  except  one,  without  distinction  of  party  or  opinion,  adhered  to  me. 
Intimations  had  been  thrown  out  in  conversation  that,  if  in  no  other  way, 
the  military  authorities  would  be  appealed  to  to  enforce  their  views.  I  have 
no  positive  evidence  as  to  the  persons  who  brought  the  matter  before  the 
military  authorities,  but  the  order  of  General  Curtis,  on  its  face,  shows  that 
it  rests  upon  this  controversy  in  my  Church. 

It  is  proper  for  me  further  to  state  that  no  notice  was  given  me,  nor  was 
I  examined  or  in  any  way  questioned  as  to  the  truth  or  falsehood  of  the 


250  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

charges  made.     Now,  the  points  to  which  I  desire  to  call  your  official  atten- 
tion are  these  : 

1.  That  the  military  authorities  have  assumed  to  decide  an  ecclesiastical 
question  between  me  and  some  of  the  members  of  my  charge,  and  that  they 
have  construed  my  denial  of  the  right  which  they  claim  to  demand  of  me  as 
their  pastor — an  answer  to  civil  and  political  questions — as  an  act  of  disloy- 
alty to  the  Gou'eriwicnt. 

2.  That  in  this  order  the  miUtary  authorities  have  made  my  action  in  the 
Church  court  upon  questions  purely  ecclesiastical  a  matter  not  only  of 
military  review,  but  of  military  punishment.     The  language  of  the  order  is : 

"And,  whereas,  the  said  McPheeters,  acting  with  others  of  the  same  de- 
nomination, has  used  all  the  influence  of  his  ministerial  character  to  prevent 
the  body  of  the  Church  with  which  he  is  connected  from  declaring  or  mani- 
festing its  loyalty  to  the  Government." 

This  can  only  refer  to  my  course  in  the  last  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church ;  for  these  questions  have  not  come  up  in  any  other 
Church  courts  with  which  I  am  connected.  I  did,  however,  in  the  General 
Assembly  of  May  last,  oppose  certain  resolutions  introduced  into  that  body 
which  I  regarded  as  an  indirect  violation  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  which  says:  "  Synods  or  councils  are  to  handle  or  conclude 
nothing  but  what  is  ecclesiastical,  and  are  not  to  intermeddle  with  civil 
affairs  which  concern  the  Commonwealth,  unless  by  way  of  humble  petition 
in  cases  extraordinary,  or  by  way  of  advice  for  satisfaction  of  conscience, 
if  they  be  thereunto  required  by  the  civil  magistrate."  [Confession  of 
Faith,  Chapter  XXXI,  Sec.  4.]  I  said  nothing  as  to  the  merits  of  the 
civil  question  upon  which  the  decision  of  the  Assembly  was  asked.  I  only 
maintained  that  it  had  no  right  to  "handle  or  conclude"  such  matters. 
This  was  certainly  no  offense  for  which  I  should  be  subjected  to  mihtary 
punishment,  and,  I  humbly  submit,  a  subject  upon  which  it  was  not  proper 
for  them  to  decide. 

Third.  It  will  moreover  be  seen  that  the  military  authorities  are  dealing 
with  me  not  as  a  citizen,  but  distinctly  and  formally  as  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel.  They  commanded  me  to  "  cease  from  this  date  the  functions  of" 
my  *'  office  in  the  State  of  Missouri."  Now,  my  office  as  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel  I  do  not  receive  from  the  State,  but  from  the  Church  of  Christ,  and 
its  functions  can  only  be  suspended  by  those  from  whom  I  received  my 
office;  and  it  seems  to  me  that  the  mihtary  authorities  should  not  sit  in  judg- 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  251 

ment  upon  that  office — that  they  should  only  know  me  as  a  citizen,  and  only 
deal  with  me  as  such. 

Fourth.  It  will  be  further  seen  in  the  order  that  the  military  authorities 
take  command  not  only  of  the  church  edifice,  but  of  the  books  and  papers — 
/.  e.,  the  Church  records,  and  order  them  to  be  given  into  the  hands  of  three 
individuals,  who,  while  they  are  members  of  the  Church,  and  one  of  them 
an  Elder,  are  not  the  persons  to  whom  the  Church  has  or  would  commit 
them,  if  permitted  to  declare  her  will ;  and,  further  still,  it  will  be  seen  from 
this  order,  that  these  same  three  individuals  are  appointed  by  the  military  to 
fill  the  pulpit  and  determine  what  kind  of  religious  instruction  the  Church 
shall  have.  All  this  is  not  only  done,  but  it  is  published  to  the  world  in  an 
order  which  will  be  read  through  the  country. 

I  have  felt  it  to  be  my  duty,  not  only  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  but  as 
a  good  citizen,  to  call  the  distinct  attention  of  the  Government  to  this  mat- 
ter, and  ask,  if  this  order  is  not  in  accordance  with  the  Constitution,  laws, 
and  usages  of  the  United  States,  that  such  steps  may  be  taken  as  shall  be 
necessary  to  correct  it.  In  the  meantime,  I  design  to  render  imphcit 
obedience  to  all  these  orders  ;  for  while  I  can  not  admit  that  my  ministerial 
office,  or  the  government  and  worship  of  the  Church,  is  under  the  direction 
of  the  civil  or  military  authorities,  yet  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  set  an  example  of 
obedience,  and  to  wait  the  correction  which  I  feel  con\-inced  will  be  made 
by  those  having  the  ultimate  decision  of  the  matter.  And  it  is,  in  my  esteem, 
a  happy  circumstance  that  I  find  in  the  legal  adviser  of  the  Government 
one  who,  at  the  same  time,  is  so  well  acquainted  with  the  history  and  Con- 
stitution of  the  Church  in  which  I  am  a  minister. 

I  have  said  nothing  of  what  I  consider  the  cruel  personal  wrong  which  is 
done  to  me  by  this  order.  It  can  be  considered  as  nothing  less  than  an 
official  endorsement  of  a  letter  which  appears  in  the  Missouri  Democrat^ 
(newspaper)  December  13,  1862,  signed  by  the  three  individuals  to  whom 
Gen.  Curtis  hands  over  the  Church  to  which  I  minister,  which  letter  I  regard 
as  a  most  shameless  and  false  assaultupon  my  character,  so  that  if  this  order 
is  permitted  to  remain,  the  whole  influence  of  the  Government,  to  which  I 
have  a  right  to  look  for  protection,  sends  me  out  branded  with  crimes  which 
I  contemplate  with  horror  and  which  I  indignantly  deny  that  I  have  com- 
mitted. 

The  only  offense,  if  offense  it  be,  which  malice  itself  can  charge  against 
me  is,  that,  being  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  I  have  aimed  to  stand  aloof,  not 
only  in  public,  but  in  private,  from  the  exciting  discussions  of  these  unhappy 


252  MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

limes,  and  to  devote  all  my  energies  to  the  distinctive  duties  of  my  calling. 
But  while  this  has  been  the  course  which  I  have  thought  proper  and  becom- 
ing me,  as  a  man  set  apart  by  the  Church  of  God,  to  deal  with  men  about 
their  highest  interests,  I  have,  at  the  same  time,  not  forgotten  my  duty  as  a 
citizen.  In  a  formal  paper  read  before  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  which  is  upon  its  records,  and  was  published  through 
the  country,  I  declared  "that  true  allegiance  and  lawful  subjection  and 
obedience  to  the  ci\il  government,  as  an  ordinance  of  God,  are  among  the 
highest  duties  of  religion;"  and  more  recently  still,  in  the  public  prints  and 
over  my  own  signature,  I  declared  that,  "as  a  citizen,  I  hold  it  to  be  a 
most  important  and  indispensable  part  of  my  duty  to  God  to  obey  law,  to 
submit  to  the  authorites,  to  pray  for  them,  to  render  them  the  honors  due 
their  several  stations,  and  to  promote  peace  aud  quietness;"  and  what  is 
more,  I  have  not  only  taught  this  in  words,  but  by  viy  example  I  have 
declared  the  same  thing,  by  the  quiet  but  unhesitating  manner  in  which  I 
have  gone  forward  in  the  discharge  of  every  civil  duty  enjoined  upon  me, 
either  by  the  Word  of  God  or  by  the  laws  of  the  land,  and  especially  by 
voluntarily  taking  the  following  oath,  enjoined  by  the  State  Convention  of 
Missouri,  June  loth,  1S62,  upon  those  who  solemnize  the  right  of  matri- 
mony.    [Here  the  oath  was  inserted.] 

But  while  I  feel  that  it  is  hard  for  a  course  like  this  that  I  should  be 
driven  as  a  criminal  from  my  home  into  a  climate  unfriendly  to  my  impaired 
health,  and  among  strangers  who  are,  by  an  official  paper,  warned  to  suspect 
me,  I  say,  while  I  feel  all  this  to  be  a  great  wrong,  I  do  not  cojiie  to  make  any 
personal  plea.  If  the  good  of  the  State  requires  that  a  quiet  and  peaceful 
family  should  be  banished,  that  an  innocent  man  should  be  treated  as  a 
criminal,  let  it  be  done.  The  man  is  not  worthy  the  name  of  a  man  who  is 
not  willing  to  suffer  even,  wrongfully,  for  the  public  good.  I  come  to  ask 
that  the  Church  may  be  left  to  her  liberty;  that  the  military  authorities  be 
not  permitted  to  judge  and  decide  between  me  and  the  members  of  my 
Church  upon  purely  ecclesiastical  questions ;  that  they  be  not  permitted  to 
assume  authority  over  the  government  and  worship  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Let  this  be  done  and  I  am  prepared  to  show,  by  patient  endurance,  the 
kind  and  degree  of  obedience  which,  as  a  Christian  citizen,  I  am  ready  to 
render  to  the  "powers  that  be." 

As  for  the  rest,  I  shall  calmly  but  confidently  leave  my  character  and  my 
innocency  to  be  vindicated  by  that  Divine  Providence  before  whom  even  a 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  253 

sparrow  does  not  fall  unobserved  and  who  can  make  all  things  \York  together 
for  his  people's  good. 

What  is  proper  to  be  done  in  this  matter  is  not  for  me  to  decide,  but  I 
most  earnestly  and  respectfully  request  that  the  subject  may  receive  such 
attention  as  is  proper. 

The  only  personal  request  I  make  is,  that  if  the  sentence  of  banishment 

is  carried  out,  that  I  may  have  sufficient  time  allowed  me  to  make  reasonable 

preparation  for  my  departure,  and  that  I  may  be  permitted  to  choose  what 

locality  I  prefer  in  "the  loyal  States,"  or  to  go  to  a  foreign  country,  if  I 

shall  so  elect. 

Very  respectfully, 

SAMUEL  B.  McPHEETERS. 

Now,  sir,  the  result  of  this,  though  I  did  not  know  it  for  t^^  elve  months 
after,  was  that  the  President  sustained  me  in  every  one  of  my  positions. 
He  left  me  as  a  citizen,  like  all  other  citizens,  to  be  dealt  with  according  to  my 
conduct.  He  directed  the  military  not  to  interfere  with  the  Churches.  This 
was  done  in  a  letter  dated  January  2,  1S63,  which  letter  has  been  pubhshed 
extensively  by  the  press. 

Before  I  left  the  President  he  sent  a  dispatch,  which,  after  writing,  he 
read  to  me,  and  it  was,  I  believe,  in  these  precise  words : 

'•'Suspend  the  order  against  Dr.  McPheeters  until  further  orders." 

The  immediate  effect  of  the  President's  telegram  was  the  issuing  of  the 
following  order : 

"Ox^FICE   OF   THE    PrOVOST-MaRSHAL-GeXERAL,   ) 

Department  of  the  ^Missouri,  > 

St.  Louis,  December  28,  1862.       ) 

''Rev.  S.  B.  McPheeters  and  Wife: 

"The  order  made  against  you  on  the  19th  of  December  is  modified  until 

further  orders,  to  this  extent :  that  you  are  not  required  to  leave  the  State. 

"  By  order  of  ^L\jor-General  Curtis. 

"F.  A.  DICK," 

"  Lieut. -Col.,  Provost-Marshal-General." 

This  was  the  interpretation  given  the  President's  telegram ;  the  suspen- 
sion was  understood  as  applying  only  to  my  banishment,  not  to  the  part  of 
the  order  relating  to  my  ministry,  though  this  was  the  very  point  I  had 
presented,  and  was  to  me  far  the  more  important  objection  to  the  order. 
That  I  so  regarded  it  is  perfectly  manifest  from  the  paper  submitted  to  the 
President;  and  yet  you  will  observe  this  is  the  thing  carefully  retained. 


254  MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    M'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

The  order  of  December  28  suspended  my  banishment,  but  left  me  for- 
bidden to  exercise  the  functions  of  my  ministry,  and  left  the  Church  in  the 
hands  of  the  military  commission.  There  can  be  and  is  no  doubt  that  the 
sentence  suspending  my  ministerial  office  lasted  for  a  year ;  for  not  only  did 
the  Commanding  General,  upon  being  asked,  give  this  interpretation  to  his 
order,  but  I  have  the  official  documents  to  prove  it.  It  is  a  fact,  and  one 
bearing  directly  on  wtiat  my  Presbytery  did,  that  for  a  year,  without  any 
authority  from  the  head  of  the  Government,  I  was  virtually  deposed  from 
the  gospel  ministry.  During  that  time  I  w^as  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  all 
my  civil  rights.  I  might  vote  at  elections ;  buy  or  sell ;  practice  medicine 
or  law,  if  I  had  been  qualified ;  but  it  would  have  been  a  military  offense 
for  me  to  have  administered  the  Lord's  Supper,  imposed  hands  in  ordina- 
tion, preached  a  sermon,  or  taken  a  seat  in  an  ecclesiastical  court  in  the 
State  of  Missouri.  This  is  surely  marvelous,  even  in  these  times.  What 
does  it  mean  ?  What  interpretation  did  I,  naturally,  put  upon  it  ?  Why, 
sir,  it  was  quite  impossible  for  me  not  to  see  that  the  military  authorities  did 
not  deal  with  me  as  with  a  citizen  whom  they  regarded  as  dangerous  or 
injurious  to  the  State.  Suspected  citizens  were  put  under  heavy  bonds  to 
do  no  disloyal  thing ;  no  bonds  were  ever  asked  of  me.  I  went  where  I 
pleased;  did  what  I  pleased;  said  what  I  pleased,  just  as  any  other  citizen 
not  a  minister.  Suppose  it  had  been  seriously  believed,  as  charged  in  the 
original  order,  that  I  was  "exerting  an  injurious  influence,  especially  upon 
the  youth  and  other  members  of  my  congregation,  leading  them  to  adopt 
sentiments  of  hostihty  to  the  Government  and  become  open  rebels,"  how 
strange,  by  stopping  my  ordinary  avocations,  that  they  should  throw  my 
whole  time  idly  upon  my  hands  for  this  work ;  by  calling  attention  to  me 
that  they  should  give  me  a  larger  field  of  operation ;  by  punishing  me,  give 
me,  in  a  tenfold  degree,  the  influence  of  sympathy  to  work  upon  and  the 
motive  of  revenge  to  stir  me  up  to  work.  This  was  strange  confidence  to 
be  placed  in  me,  if  I  had  been  regarded  as  a  dangerous  citizen. 

But,  on  the  supposition  that  I  was  regarded  as  a  refractory  minister,  who 
would  not,  in  his  pulpit  and  official  character,  take  the  stand  in  support  of 
the  civil  government  which  it  was  thought  I  should,  the  measures  adopted 
were  wise  and  reasonable.  I  was  deposed  from  the  ministry.  The  truth 
is,  as  a  citizen  I  had  not  offended,  and  as  a  citizen  I  was  not  punished. 
As  a  minister,  I  had  offended,  not  by  what  I  did,  but  by  what  I  did  not  do, 
and  I  was  silenced.  The  military  laid  hold  of  me  because  they  did  not 
understand  some  matters  of  duty  as  I  did.     I  differed  from  them  not  about 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  255 

rendering  to  Caesar  the  things  that  are  Caesar's,  but  about  what  things  are 
Caesar's,  and  what  are  God's  ;  and,  more  than  this,  I  judged  what  things 
were  Caesar's,  not  by  what  Caesar  claimed,  but  by  what  God  said  Caesar  had 
a  right  to  claim.  Caesar  gets  his  rights  to  my  obedience  from  God.  And 
the  same  God  who  made  a  Caesar  his  *' minister  for  good,"  in  a  kingdom 
of  this  world,  made  me  a  minister  for  salvation  in  a  kingdom  not  of  this 
world.  If  Caesar,  as  God's  minister,  has  rights  which  I  must  not  deny  or 
fail  to  render,  so  I  have  rights  which  he  must  not  invade.  If  I  invade 
Caesar's  rights,  God  gives  him  the  sword  and  he  may  smite ;  if  Ccesar 
invades  my  rights,  God  promises  me  support  and  bids  me  be  patient. 

The  order,  as  it  affected  Pine  Street  Church,  remained  in  force  from  De- 
cember 19,  1862,  to  March  4,  1863.  During  that  time,  the  Church  was  not 
under  the  control  of  the  Session,  but  was  managed  and  governed  by  the 
military  commission. 

When  this  night-mare  was  removed  from  the  Church,  the  only  part  of  the 
original  order  remaining  was  that  which  prevented  me  "exercising  the 
functions  of  my  ministry  in  Missouri."  In  March  a  friend,  on  his  own 
motion,  visited  the  Commanding  General  and  tried  to  get  that  order  set 
aside.  I  shall  ask  the  liberty  of  reading  a  letter  which  I  wrote  to  this 
friend,  which  will  show  the  views  I  entertained  in  regard  to  that  part  of  the 
order,  and  explain  a  subsequent  part  of  my  conduct,  w^hich  I  am  about  to 
narrate,  and  which  has  been  much  blamed  and  misrepresented : 

St.  Louis,  March  13th,  1863. 
My  Dear  Friend  :  I  thank  you  very  sincerely  for  what  you  have  done 
in  trying  to  induce  Gen.  Curtis  to  remove  the  only  part  of  the  military  order 
of  December  19  that  affects  me ;  and  I  especially  thank  you  as  it  was  done 
without  any  solicitation  or  even  knowledge  of  what  you  were  doing.  I  have 
thought  over  what  you  suggested  to  me  last  night,  of  going  to  see  Gen. 
Curtis  myself,  but  I  can  not  see  my  way  clear  to  do  so.  I  certainly  have  no 
disposition  to  shrink  from  any  investigation  into  my  conduct  as  a  citizen. 
When  it  was  first  whispered  that  the  military  intended  to  take  some  action 
in  regard  to  myself  and  Pine  Street  Church,  I  went  to  both  Provost- Marshals 
Leighton  and  Gantt  and  made  a  special  request,  that  I  might  be  examined 
before  any  action  was  taken.  But  a  moment's  consideration  wiU  show  you 
why  I  can  not  of  my  own  accord  pursue  that  course  now.  What  is  the  state 
of  the  case  as  it  now  stands  ?  The  original  order  contained  two  things,  and 
but  two,  affecting  me.     One  was  my  banishment,  the  other  prohibiting  me 


256  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

from  exercising  the  f unctions  of  my  ministry  in  this  State.  By  the  order 
of  December  28  the  order  concerning  my  banishment  was  suspended.  The 
only  thing  against  me  now  is,  that  my  office  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  is 
taken  away  by  the  military  authorities.  As  far  as  I  know,  I  may  do  any- 
thing that  any  other  citizen  may  lawfully  do.  I  may  buy  and  sell,  vote, 
lecture  on  science,  or  teach  school,  but  I  can  not  preach,  administer  the 
sacraments  of  the  Church,  or  sit  in  an  Ecclesiastical  Court.  I  have  all  my 
rights  as  a  citizen,  but  am  deposed  as  a  minister.  I  do  not  believe,  I  never 
have  believed,  that  Gen,  Curtis  ever  meant  to  do  this.  If  I  had  known  that 
you  intended  to  see  him  I  would  have  urged  you  to  bring  this  point  dis- 
tinctly before  his  mind.  It  seems  to  me  plain  that  no  offense  that  I  could 
commit  would  justify  either  the  civil  or  military  authorities  in  suspending  the 
functions  of  my  ministry,  because  my  office  of  a  minister  comes  from  the 
Church  and  not  from  the  State.  For  crime  I  might  be  executed  or  banished 
or. fined,  but  not  deposed  by  the  State  or  any  of  its  officers,  and  the  State 
has  no  m.ore  right  to  depose  me  than  the  Church  has  to  banish  or  hang  me. 
You  will  understand  from  this  why  I  can  not  volunteer  to  go  before  the  mili- 
tary authorities  to  make  any  statements  or  to  undergo  any  examination  with 
a  view  to  being  restored  to  my  ministry.  Would  it  not  be  plainly  to  admit 
that  the  military  have  a  right  to  examine  me  as  to  my  fitness  to  preach  and 
administer  the  sacraments  of  the  Church  ?  I  do  not  believe  the  General 
would  wish  me  to  do  this.  I  do  not  wish  to  say  anything  that  would  be 
misunderstood,  and  I  have  been  misunderstood  by  the  authorities  from  the 
beginning  on  this  whole  subject.  I  have  aimed  to  keep  to  my  appropriate 
work  as  a  minister,  and  leave  the  State  to  manage  its  own  affairs  in  its  own 
way.  I  have  often  said  to  you,  and  I  still  say,  that  I  have  no  idea  that  Gen. 
Curtis  has  ever  intended  to  do  me  a  wrong ;  there  is  no  conceivable  motive 
why  he  should.  My  misfortune  has  been  to  have  had  those  who,  without 
cause  and  without  conscience,  have  misrepresented  me.  I  am  certainly  very 
anxious  to  be  restored  to  my  Church  and  my  duties ;  but  I  can  not  even 
for  so  desirable  an  object  do  w^hat  I  believe  would  be  wrong;  and,  therefore, 
I  can  not  do  anything  which  would  seem  to  admit  that  any  civil  or  military 
officer  whatever  has  a  right  to  judge  of  or  decide  upon  my  fitness  to  do  the 
work  of  a  minister.  From  what  you  said  I  do  not  know  whether  or  not  you 
will  see  Gen.  Curtis  again.  If  you  do,  and  he  asks  why  I  do  not  adopt  the 
course  which  you  suggested  last  night,  you  may  gather  from  what  I  have 
said  what  answer  I  would  like  you  to  give.  When  the  sentence  of  banish- 
ment was  removed,  it  seems  to  me  that  everything  was   removed  that  the 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  25/ 

military  should  ever  have  passed.  I  was  very  glad  for  not  being  banished,- 
for  while  I  knew  I  did  not  deserve  it,  it  was  what  they  were  empowered  tc 
do.  My  not  being  hindered  from  preaching  and  administering  Christiari 
ordinances  is,  I  think,  my  right,  but  whether  you  will  get  a  soldier  to  see 
with  a  theologian's  eyes  is  a  different  matter.  At  any  rate  I  thank  you  for 
what  you  endeavored  to  do. 

Your  friend,  S.  B.  McPHEETERS. 

Well,  sir,  this  letter  was  never  seen  by  the  General.  I  do  not  think  that 
any  one  ever  explained  to  him  the  viev/  that  I  took  of  this  order,  though  I 
never  failed  to  declare  that  I  considered  it  as  an  encroachment  upon  the 
rights  of  Christ  as  sole  King  in  His  Church,  which  I  could  never  acknowl- 
edge. And  I  felt  especially  bound  not  to  abandon  that  principle,  because, 
while  the  authority  used  was  the  General's,  I  well  knew  who  were  the  real 
parties  inducing  him  to  exercise  his  authority  in  that  particular  way,  and 
yet,  in  the  nature  of  the  case,  I  was  obliged  to  deal  with  the  whole  matter 
as  it  appeared  on  the  face  of  the  order. 

Soon  after,  another  effort  was  made  to  get  tiiat  sentence  removed.  Some 
six  or  seven  gentlemen  of  high  standing  waited  upon  the  Commanding 
General  and  asked  him  to  remove  the  sentence.  He  received  them  kindly 
and  heard  them  patiently.  He  said,  among  other  things,  that  he  had  not 
seen  the  order  until  it  was  pubUshed ;  that  he  did  not  know,  until  informed, 
that  I  had  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance.  He  promised  them  to  take  the 
matter  into  consideration.  The  impression  made  upon  the  gentlemen  who 
waited  on  the  General  was,  that  their  mission  would  be  successful.  Several 
days  intervened,  and  during  this  time  the  matter  was  no  little  talked  of  in 
the  congregation.  I  know  not  whom  the  General  consulted,  or  who  con- 
sulted with  him  while  he  had  the  matter  under  advisement,  but  I  received, 
on  the  29th  of  March,  the  following  letter : 

LETTER  FROM  GENERAL  CURTIS. 

"Headquarters  Department  of  the  Missouri,  ? 
St.  Louis,  March  28th,  1863.      5 
''Rev.  S.  B.  McPheeters,  St.  Louis: 

"Restraint  having  been  imposed  on  your  exercise  of  public  functions, 
because  of  supposed  disloyalty,  some  of  your  friends  have  traversed  the 
fact  of  your  being  disloyal,  and  desire  my  personal  intervention.  With  a 
view  of  ascertaimng  your  sentiments,  I  submit  to  you  the  follovring  inter- 
rogatories for  your  answer : 

17 


258  MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

"1st.  Do  you  wish  tlie  rebellion  crushed,  and  are  you  in  favor  of  the 
restoration  of  the  national  authority  over  all  our  territory  ? 

2d.  In  the  conflict  of  war  now  existing  do  you  desire  the  success  of  the 
federal  and  the  defeat  of  the  rebel  forces  ? 

* '  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"S.  R.  CURTIS,  Major-General" 

If  this  was  the  General's  ultimatum,  then  it  was  plain  to  me  that  while  it 
might  involve  me  in  new  dangers,  it  certainly  would  bring  me  no  relief. 
For  what  answer  I  must  return  if  I  meant  to  be  true  to  my  principles  was 
to  me  perfectly  plain.  I  had  to  look  at  this  letter  in  the  light  of  the  facts 
which  had  preceded  it,  and  from  which  it  could  not  be  separated ;  and  well 
I  knew  that  if  I  did  not  look  at  these  facts  that  they  would  look  at  me — even 
then  they  were  staring  me  in  the  face.  They  were  all  not  only  public,  but 
of  record.  What  were  they?  Just  these:  members  of  my  Church  had 
come  to  me  with  a  demand  for  my  answer,  as  their  pastor,  to  certain  ques- 
tions on  the  troubles  of  the  country.  My  reply  had  been,  you  have  no  right 
to  demand  of  me  an  answer  to  such  questions,  and  I  will  not  answer  them. 
The  military  took  the  matter  up,  recited  the  facts  of  the  case  and  pro- 
nounced against  me  a  sentence  of  banishment,  and  silenced  me  for  what  I 
had  refused  to  do.  The  banishment  had  been  removed,  but  the  prohibiting 
me  from  exercising  the  functions  of  my  ministry  had  been  continued.  And 
the  very  General  under  whose  authority  all  this  had  been  done,  when  asked 
to  remove  the  sentence,  says  to  me,  in  effect.  Answer  the  questions  you  were 
asked,  and  you  may  preach.  The  whole  thing,  from  beginning  to  end,  was 
about  preaching  in  Pine  Street  Church,  and  the  conditions  first  made  by 
members  of  the  Church,  and  now  insisted  upon  by  the  General,  is  answer- 
ing these  questions.     How  could  I  yield  the  point  and  retain  my  self-respect  ? 

Why,  sir,  it  was  plain  that  the  members  of  Pine  Street  Church  had  a  far 
better  right  to  question  their  pastor  about  his  duties  as  pastor  than  the  Com- 
mander of  the  Department  of  the  Missouri.  I  could  not  even  seem  to 
admit  that  he  had  any  rightful  authority  over  the  functions  of  my  ministry. 
I  had  complained  of  that  very  matter  to  the  President ;  from  what  was 
done,  I  thought  he  had  decided  against  me.  If  a  General  might  require 
an  answer  to  these  questions,  as  a  condition  of  my  preaching,  he  might,  on 
the  same  principle,  ask  me  any  other.  If  I  had  done  or  said  any  thing  any 
where,  in  public  or  in  private,  not  lawful  for  a  citizen  to  do  or  say,  then 
punish  me.     But  my  duties  as  a  minister,  or  what,  as  a  pastor,  I  ought  or 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  259 

ought  not  to  do,  I  could  not  admit  that  the  General  of  the  Department,  nor 
any  nor  all  the  officers  of  the  Government,  had  any  right  to  determine.  INIy 
way  seemed  hedged  up  to  one  course,  and  not  knowing  what  the  result 
would  be,  but  committing  my  cause  to  that  King  for  whose  rights  I  was 
contending,  in  a  manner  designed  to  prevent  misapprehension,  and  to  show 
aU  obedience  in  things  civil,  I  respectfully  declined  to  answer  his  questions, 
and  gave  him  my  reasons  for  so  doing.  jNIy  answer  failed  to  convince  him 
that  I  was  right ;  he  did  not  remove  the  sentence ;  my  refusal  was  not  con- 
sidered a  new  offense ;  he  added  no  punishment ;  I  was  left  as  I  had  been 
before,  a  citizen  free — an  ambassador  for  Christ  in  bonds. 

The  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis  met  in  April.  I  v/as  not  there ;  the  order 
prohibited  my  going.  I  need  hardly  say  that  it  did  not  bind  my  conscience 
as  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  some  one  may  charge  that  I  was  inconsistent ; 
that  according  to  my  principles  I  ought  to  have  gone  and  ventured  the 
consequences.  I  thought  of  all  this,  and  tried  to  think  of  it  as  a  Christian 
man,  and  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  not  my  duty  to  go.  From 
the  beginning  I  have  made  no  issues,  but  sought  to  avoid  them.  I  had 
only  tried  to  meet  those  that  were  forced  upon  me.  My  position  had  been 
one  purely  defensive.  So  far  from  feeling  called  upon  to  dare  or  brave 
authority,  I  wished  to  make  it  appear  distinctly  that  I  was  determined  to 
yield  to  the  utmost  limits  of  a  good  conscience ;  and  I  mention  this  to  let 
you  see  that  I  have  not  attempted  to  play  the  hero  or  the  martyr,  but  only 
to  try,  amid  many  weaknesses  and  infirmities,  to  keep  in  what  seemed  to  me 
the  path  of  d#ty. 

About  this  time  I  had  great  hopes  that  relief  would  come  to  the  whole 
matter,  as  far  as  military  law  was  concerned ;  for  it  had  now  become  evi- 
dent that  there  was  to  be  a  change  in  the  command  of  the  Department,  and 
I  entertained  strong  hopes  that  a  General  might  come  who  would  not  think 
the  functions  of  a  gospel  minister  in  the  limits  of  military  control;  whether 
any  feared  what  I  hoped  I  do  not  know.  At  any  rate  the  affairs  of  Pine 
Street  Church  and  its  pastor  very  suddenly  took  a  new  turn.  They  were 
brought  before  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis,  at  a  special  meeting  called  for 
the  expressed  purpose  of  "  dissolving  the  pastoral  relation." 

The  history  of  this  case,  as  it  stands  connected  with  the  Church  Courts, 
is  as  distinctly  presented  in  a  memorial  which  has  been  sent  up,  signed  by  a 
majority  of  the  .Ministers  and  Sessions  of  St.  Louis  Presbytery,  that  I  shall 
have  but  little  to  say  about  it.  On  one  point,  however,  I  wish  to  say  a 
word  in  explanation  of  my  own  acts  in  relation  to  that  Presbytery.     I  wish 


26o  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

to  explain  to  the  Assembly,  briefly,  why  I  felt  constrained  to  put  into  the 
hands  of  that  Presbytery  my  resignation  as  pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church. 
I  was  fully  determined  not  to  do  so  twenty-four  hours  before  the  Presbytery 
met.  Let  me  recount,  in  the  briefest  possible  way,  the  circumstances  under 
which  this  pro-re-nata  meeting  was  called,  and  what  it  was  that  determined 
me  to  do  what  I  did.  The  Spring  Session  of  Presbytery  adjourned  April  lo ; 
this  meeting  Avas  called  May  4.  Presbytery  at  that  meeting  knew  every- 
thing in  relation  to  Pine  Street  Church ;  its  matters  had  been  up  before  them 
upon  a  memorial  sent  by  the  Session  to  Presbytery.  No  new  developments 
had  been  made  when  the  three  Ministers  and  four  Elders  called  the  meet- 
ing ;  and  never  was  a  meeting  called  at  a  time  so  manifestly  improper  to 
hear  a  case.  Just  before  this  call  was  issued  a  very  unexpected  raid  had 
been  made  into  Southeastern  Missouri  by  a  portion  of  the  Southern  army. 
The  most  exaggerated  reports  of  the  number  and  designs  of  the  invading 
forces  were  circulated  and  believed.  St.  Louis,  it  was  said,  was  to  be 
attacked  and  captured.  The  city  was  in  a  state  of  commotion.  The  military 
were  for  a  time  moving  day  and  night,  and  many  of  the  citizens  exhibited 
signs  of  panic.  Martial  law,  as  a  matter  of  course,  was  administered  with 
more  than  usual  rigor.  Arrests  were  numerous.  The  city  was  full  of 
rumors  of  banishments  to  follow.  The  papers,  of  a  certain  class,  were 
demanding  that  all  suspected  persons  should  be  driven  out.  Now,  sir,  it 
was  just  in  the  wake  of  this  time  of  agitation  that  this  meeting  was  called 
to>convene  in  ten  days,  in  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  to  consider  .^matters  con- 
cerning a  brother  minister  already  under  a  suspended  sentence  of  banis- 
ment  and  an  actual  sentence  of  suspension  from  the  ministry  !  And  the 
matter  to  be  considered  is,  shall  this  minister,  whom  the  military  authorities 
say  may  not  preach,  retain  his  pastoral  relation  ?  I  appeal  to  every  impar- 
tial, right-thinking  man  in  this  Assembly — to  every  Presbyterian  who  glories 
in  the  noble  Constitution  of  his  Church,  which  secures  a  fair  hearing  to  the 
vilest  reprobate — if  anything  short  of  an  absolute  necessity  would  excuse 
those  who  called  that  meeting  at  that  time. 

Was  that  time  of  excitement  a  time  favorable  for  hearing  impartially  a 
case  entangled  by  military  orders,  as  was  the  case  of  the  pastor  of  Pine 
Street  Church  ?  No  one  of  us  then  knew  that  the  President  had  cut  the 
order  which  had  tied  together  the  keys  of  the  Church  to  the  sword  of  the 
State.  But  was  it  kind,  was  it  Christian,  to  ask  brethren  to  go  up  and  take 
the  keys  and  open  what  those  who  held  the  sword  said  should  be  shut  ?     I 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  261 

will  not  disguise  from  you,  sir,  that  it  made  the  most  painful  impression  on 
my  mind. 

The  notice  which  the  Stated  Clerk,  who  headed  the  call,  served  upon  me 
did  not  relieve  my  mind.  It  is  very  short.  I  will  read  it,  omitting  his 
name  : 

"St.  Louis,  May  4,  1863. 
*'Rev.  Dr.  McPheeters: 

"  Dear  Bro.  :  As  your  miUtary  sentence  precludes  your  attendance,  I 
presume  I  need  send  you  no  official  notice  of  a  meeting  of  Presbytery,  called 
for  the  15th,  in  which  you  are  concerned.  It,  however,  is  but  fair  that  you 
should  be  apprised  of  it.  Its  object  you  can  learn  from  the  notice  served 
Bro.  Coe.  Respectfully, ." 

At  the  same  time  he  served  the  formal  notice  upon  Pine  Street  Church 
which  the  Constitution  directs  to  be  sent  to  vacant  Churches !  I  entirely 
acquit  the  Stated  Clerk  of  any  purpose  to  offer  me  a  personal  indignity.  It 
was  not  that ;  and  if  it  had  been  it  would  be  of  no  importance  to  mention 
it  here.  But  as  an  unconscious  expression  of  the  fact  that  in  his  esteem 
the  suspension  of  the  functions  of  my  ministry  by  military  authority  changed 
my  official  relations  to  my  Church  courts,  it  is  of  importance.  If  I  had 
been  sick,  unable  to  move  hand  or  foot,  he  would,  without  question,  have 
served  on  me  the  proper  official  notice.  But  in  his  view  I  was  virtually  de- 
posed— officially  I  was  entitled  to  no  formal  notice — as  a  matter  of  "  fair- 
ness "  he  is  wilHng  to  put  me  in  the  way  of  getting  information,  if  I  think  it 
worth  my  while  to  take  the  trouble  to  do  so.  Vacant  Churches,  however, 
are  entitled  to  formal  notice,  and  he  sends  to  Pine  Street  Church  the  proper 
paper!  Do  I  mistake  in  this  matter?  Was  it  a  simple  inadvertency?  Sir, 
this  Stated  Clerk  was  no  novice  in  his  office ;  he  had  been  Stated  Clerk  for 
six  or  seven  years,  and  our  personal  intercourse  at  this  time  was  formal 
rather  than  cordial.  But  if  a  doubt  remains  on  any  mind,  look  at  the  call 
itself,  which  the  Stated  Clerk  heads,  asking  for  the  pro-re-nata  meeting. 
If  ever  there  was  a  distinct  laying  out  of  work  about  which  there  were  no 
contingencies  or  uncertainties  to  be  taken  into  account,  it  is  here:  it  is  "to 
take  measures  to  remove  the  grievances  under  which  Pine  Street  Church 
has  been  laboring  for  some  months  past,  and  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  rela- 
tion between  that  Church  and  Rev.  Samuel  B.  McPheeters."  There  is 
plainly  no  lingering  doubt  on  the  minds  of  those  who  called  the  meeting 
about  the  "grievance,"  the  remedy  to  be  apphed  in  removing  it,  and  a 
"clear  way"  in  applying  it.     The  gi-ievance  is  a  deposed  minister  holding  a 


262  MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

nominal  pastorate — the  remedy  is  to  cut  the  nominal  tie  that  binds  the  living 
Church  to  the  defunct  minister,  and  military  order  No.  152,  Dec.  19,  1862, 
has  made  the  "clearway."  So  rapidly  do  men's  minds  become  familiar 
with  a  new  order  of  things — so  natural  is  it,  when  men's  ideas  become  con- 
fused about  the  sole  headship  of  Christ  in  His  Church,  to  begin  by  yielding 
what  is  claimed  and  then  approving  wdiat  is  done,  and  end  at  last  in  vocifer- 
ating,   **  We  have  no  king  bid  Ccrsar.'''' 

Well,  sir,  notwithstanding  all  this,  it  seemed  to  me  to  be  my  duty,  if 
possible,  to  attend  Presbytery  and  meet  my  responsibilities  and  the  issues 
involved.  For  this  purpose  I  solicited  the  Brigadier-General  of  the  militia 
of  Missouri,  who  was  to  be  a  member  of  Presbytery,  to  go  to  the  Command- 
ing General  and  state  the  case,  and  to  request  him  to  hold  me  guiltless  of  a 
breach  of  his  order  if  I  should  go  to  Presbytery  and  attend  to  matters  in 
which  I  was  personally  interested.  I  tried  to  make  it  easy  to  grant  the 
request.  I  did  not,  therefore,  ask  the  General  to  reverse  his  order,  but  to 
suspend  it.  I  did  not  ask  for  so  much  as  a  written  exemption,  but  only  a 
verbal  assurance  that  he  would  not  take  notice  of  it.  The  request  was 
declined.  The  Presbytery  was  to  meet  on  Friday.  The  General's  decision 
I  learned  on  Wednesday.  On  Thursday  two  of  the  pastors  of  the  city  were 
arrested.  I  was  con\'inced,  by  evidence  which  I  shall  not  here  repeat,  that 
the  brethren  who  were  resolved  to  attend  Presbytery  on  my  account  ought 
not  to  take  their  seats ;  and  to  remove  any  occasion  on  my  account  for  their 
attending  I  determined  to  throw  the  responsibility  on  those  who  called  the 
meeting,  and  to  put  my  resignation  in  the  hands  of  Presbytery.  I  made 
no  request  of  Presbytery.  I  simply  gave  them  the  right  to  do  with  it  what 
they  pleased.  Moderator,  it  was  an  act  of  weakness  which  I  have  ever 
since  regi-etted.  I  offer  no  apology  for  what  I  did.  I  was  perplexed — the 
path  of  duty  was  to  me  uncertain — elements  were  coming  into  the  question 
for  which  I  was  not  prepared.  My  own  personal  dangers  I  might  make  up 
my  mind  to  meet ;  but  when  it  came  to  involving  my  brethren — my  friends — 
I  yielded.  All  this  I  laid  before  Presbytery,  in  writing,  before  the  pastoral 
relation  was  dissolved,  in  a  paper  recalling  my  resignation,  which  they 
refused  to  entertain. 

Now,  allow  me  to  make  a  necessary  explanation  and  to  correct  a  totally 
erroneous  impression  that  might  be  made  by  what  I  have  just  related.  If 
any  one  gets  the  idea  from  what  I  have  stated  that  I  intend  to  say  or  to- 
imply  that  the  military  authorities  were  putting  out  their  power  to  crush  the 
Church,  or  that  they  were  concerning  themselves  about  the  dissolution  of  a. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  263 

pastoral  relation,  let  me  tell  you  at  once  that  I  am  asking  no  one  to  credit  so 
preposterous  a  statement.  I  am  neither  demented  myself  nor  assuming  that 
those  whom  I  address  are  so.  This  state  of  things  admits  of  a  perfectly 
rational  solution  on  perfectly  rational  grounds.  The  mihtary  authorities 
were  looking  at  the  interests  of  the  State  which  they  were  sent  to  guard. 
The  State  was  agitated;  it  was  their  duty  to  keep  it  quiet.  Not  only  all 
armed  resistance  to  the  authorities  must  at  once  be  suppressed,  but  all  show 
of  resistance  must  at  once  be  met,  no  matter  under  what  pretext  it  be  made. 
These  principles  aj'e  all  correct.  But  what  an  opportunity  does  such  a  state 
of  things  give  for  misunderstanding,  for  misrepresentation  !  How  easy  to 
excite  suspicion ;  how  difficult  to  remove  suspicion  once  excited  !  There, 
sir,  lies  the  solution.  Sentence  had  been  pronounced  upon  me  without  any 
examination.  Unfortunately  for  all  concerned,  my  sentence  was  ecclesiasti- 
cal— deposition  from  the  ministry.  I  could  do  nothing  to  be  relieved  from 
such  a  sentence  that  even  implied  that  I  admitted  the  right  to  inflict  it. 
What  vras  required  of  me,  therefoore,  I  could  not  do.  It  was  far  easier  for 
a  blunt  soldier  to  see  that  I  did  not  comply  with  what  he  wanted  than  it 
was  to  see  the  grounds  upon  which  I  did  it.  Distinctions  which  appeared 
to  me  very  important  might  easily  seem  to  him  very  trivial.  Let  this  be 
the  condition  of  things,  and  then  let  some  persons  claiming  to  be  my  friends 
whisper  the  suspicion  in  his  ear  that  all  this  was  a  mere  pretext — ^let  it  be 
done  artfully,  with  appai-ent  candor  and  under  professions  of  patriotism; 
let  those  who  agree  with  me  be  represented  as  defending  me  because  they 
were  confederated  with  me  against  the  Government,  and  is  it  any  wonder 
that,  in  such  a  state  of  things  and  in  a  time  of  excitement,  it  was  dangerous 
to  attend  Presbytery  and  vote  in  a  way  that  seemed  to  approve  of  what  I 
had  done  and  condemn  what  the  military  had  done  ? 

I  shall  not  stop  to  trace  the  history  of  my  case  through  the  several  small 
pro-re-nata  meetings  of  Presbytery  until  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral 
relation  was  effected.  You  have  already  been  informed  how  the  St.  Louis 
Presbytery  received  a  commissioner  whom  they  knew  the  Church  had  not 
sent,  and  granted  a  request  which  they  new  the  Church  never  made,  and  in 
the  name  of  pastor  and  people  dissolved  a  relation  which  they  knew  neither 
pastor  nor  people  desired  to  have  dissolved.  I  have  but  two  remarks  to 
make  upon  this  whole  subject.  One  of  them  is,  that  while  Presbytery  by 
the  hour  had  listened  to  an  assault^made  upon  me  by  a  commissioner  whom 
the  Presbytery  owed  it  to  their  own  self-respect  to  have  declined  to  receive,  it 
never  once  occurred  to  them  that  it  might  be  proper  in  them  to  do  some* 


264  MEMOIR   OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

thing  to  second  my  efforts  to  get  before  them  and  answer  the  charges  made. 
True,  I  made  no  request  on  that  subject.  So  far  from  asking  favors  I 
would  have  been  more  than  content  with  having  my  rights.  But,  Mode- 
rator, it  does  seem  to  me  that  if  I  had  been  one  of  the  majority  of  that 
Presbytery — if  I  had  had  the  ear  of  the  miUtary  authorities  as  they  had  it 
— even  if  I  had  intended  to  do  all  that  they  did,  that  I  would  have  felt  it 
due  to  the  forms  of  justice — due  to  the  sentiments  of  the  age  in  which  we 
live — due  to  the  past  history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  at  least  to  have 
made  some  effort  to  have  secured  to  the  man  whom  I  was  judging  and 
about  to  condemn  the  opportunity  of  a  hearing.  If  it  had  been  necessary 
I  would  have  moved  that  Presbytery  wait  upon  the  Commanding  General, 
in  a  body,  and  if  I  could  have  found  no  other  words,  I  would  have  taken  the 
language  of  Roman  Festus,  and  have  told  him,  **  It  was  not  the  manner  of" 
Presbyteries  "  to  deliver  any  man  to  'condemnation'  before  that  he  which 
is  accused  hear  the  accusers  face  to  face,  and  have  license  to  answer  for 
himself  concerning  the  crime  laid  against  him." 

The  other  remark  is,  that  if  I  had  not  been  silenced  by  the  mihtary,  and 
for  a  whole  year  kept  under  that  sentence,  without  the  sanction  or  approba- 
tion of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  nothing  that  was  done  could 
have  been  accomphshed.  This  was  the  great  weapon  with  which  I  was 
assailed  in  my  congregation,  in  the  community,  in  the  papers.  It  was  rep- 
resented to  my  congregation  that,  when  the  Government  condemned  me,  to 
sustain  me  was  to  oppose  the  Government.  To  say  that  they  wanted  me  to 
be  their  pastor  when  the  Government  said  I  should  not  preach,  was  to  do  a 
disloyal  thing  !  Presbytery  undertook  to  sustain  the  Government  by  carry- 
ing out  in  the  Ecclesiastical  Court  the  sentence  of  the  Military  Court.  ISIulti- 
tudes  in  the  city,  who  up  to  that  time  never  so  much  as  knew  my  name, 
condemned  me  because  they  wanted  to  support  the  Government,  and  the 
Government  condemned  me.  If  the  Government  undertook  to  manage  the 
functions  of  my  ministry,  as  they  were  on  the  side  of  the  Government,  it 
was  all  right,  and  they  would  defend  the  action  of  their  Government.  Un- 
fortunately for  my  loyalty,  I  believed  the  ministry  which  I  received  from 
Christ  was  not  a  thing  for  the  State  to  manage ;  and,  unfortunately  for  their 
patriotism,  the  Government  of  the  United  States  thought  upon  that  subject 
just  as  I  did.  The  order,  in  all  that  related  to  the  Church,  was  not  only  a 
wrong  to  the  Church  of  God,  but  being  done  in  the  name  of  the  Govern- 
ment, without  its  approval  or  sanction,  was  a  wrong  to  the  United  States 
Government.     When  the  matters  were  brought  before  the  Chief  Executive, 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  265 

he  promptly  corrected  what  his  subordinate  officers  had  done.  And  I  have 
an  abiding  confidence  that  this  Assembly  will  as  promptly  correct  what  a 
subordinate  Court  of  the  Church  has  done. 

After  I  had  been  suspended  from  my  ministry  for  a  year,  without  my 
knowledge  a  petition  in  my  behalf  was  gotten  up,  signed  by  some  of  the 
leading  men  of  St.  Louis,  and  sent  to  Washington.  Just  before  it  was  sent 
a  gentleman  of  high  position  with  whom  it  was  left  for  his  signature  showed 
it  to  me,  and  called  my  attention  to  the  fact  that  there  was  no  sufficient  or 
clear  statement  of  the  case  in  the  petition.  I,  therefore,  made  out  a  state- 
ment, unaccompanied  with  the  orders  upon  which  the  statement  rested,  and 
it  was  forwarded  to  Washington  in  a  way  that  secured  its  reaching  the  eye 
of  the  President.  The  letter  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  which  has  been  pubHshed, 
was  his  reply  to  the  first  imperfect  statement  that  was  submitted  to  him. 
After  he  saw  the  full  statement  and  documents  which  I  sent,  I  received  a 
letter  from  the  Attorney-General  from  v.-hich  I  take  the  liberty  of  reading 
the  following  extract  as  of  public  interest.  After  stating  that  he  had  laid 
the  papers  before  the  President  which  had  been  sent  him  for  that  purpose, 
he  says : 

"The  President,  in  substance,  answered  that  it  was  always  his  wish  and 
purpose  to  hold  indi\'iduals  responsible  for  their  own  acts,  without  any 
reference  to  the  facl  that  they  happened  to  be  members  or  officers  of  par- 
ticular Churches  ;  that  the  fact  of  being  a  member  or  pastor  of  a  Church  was 
no  excuse  for  personal  misdemeanor ;  but  that  he  never  intended  to  assume, 
or  to  permit  his  subordinate  officers  to  assume,  any  power  to  govern  or  con- 
trol the  churches,  or  in  any  manner  to  determine  who  may  and  who  may 
not  preach  and  minister  in  them.  You  say  that  you  are  in  the  full  fruition 
of  your  civil  rights,  and  the  President  considers  you  as  free  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  your  ecclesiastical  rights.  I  write  this  with  the  express  permission 
of  the  President,  and  I  presume  to  advise  that  you  quietly  resume  the  exer- 
cise of  all  the  rights,  duties  and  functions  of  your  office  as  if  no  interrup- 
tion had  occurred." 

Sir,  I  take  comfort  in  all  that  I  have  suffered,  and  can  venture  to  claim 
that  I  have  not  been  a  useless  citizen  if  my  case  was  the  occasion  of  bringing 
out  so  distinct  a  declaration  of  so  important  a  question  at  so  opportune  a  time. 
If  I  had  yielded  to  the  clamor  about  disloyalty,  and  had  done  what  was 
required  of  me  as  a  condition  of  being  permitted  to  preach,  the  sentence 
might  have  been  removed  upon  personal  grounds,  but  it  would  have  left  a 
precedent  of  incalculable  evil. 


266  MEMOIR    OF    S.    K.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

As  it  is,  we  have  got  back  to  the  old  doctrine.  The  citizen  is  amenable 
to  the  State,  the  minister  to  the  Church.  The  State,  for  sufficient  cause,  may- 
hang,  imprison  or  banish ;  the  Church,  for  sufficient  cause,  may  depose,  ex- 
communicate, silence  or  censure ;  but  neither  State  nor  Church  can  under- 
take to  administer  both  classes  of  punishment,  even  when  both  are  just, 
much  less  to  administer  both  when  neither  is  just. 

Thus  ended  my  troubles  as  far  as  the  State  was  concerned,  and  the  ques- 
tion immediately  arose,  what  I  should  do  in  reference  to  Pine  Street  Church  ? 
Should  I  preach  in  that  church  or  not?  Considering  the  matter,  I  thought 
there  were  just  two  questions  to  be  decided  by  me — a  question  of  ecclesias- 
tical right  and  a  question  of  Christian  expediency. 

Did  I  have,  ecclesiastically,  the  right  to  preach  in  Pine  Street  Church?  It 
appeared  to  me  plainly  that  I  did.  And  on  the  ground  that  the  appeal 
which  had  been  taken  to  Synod  against  the  action  of  St.  Louis  Presbytery 
dissolving  the  pastoral  relation  had  by  that  body  been  received,  declared  to  be 
in  order  and  docketed  for  trial — the  appeal  being  entertained  by  Synod  I 
thought,  and  still  think,  took  the  case  entirely  out  of  the  hands  of  Presbytery, 
and  arrested  everything  that  Presbytery  had  done  until  Synod  should  decide 
the  case.  The  language  of  the  Book  of  Discipline  (chap,  vii.,  sec.  iii.,  para- 
graph xv.)  is:  "The  necessary  operation  of  an  appeal  is  to  suspend  all 
further  proceedings  on  the  ground  of  the  sentence  appealed  from.  But  if  a 
sentence  of  suspension  or  excommunication  from  Church  privileges,  or  de- 
position from  office,  be  the  sentence  appealed  from,  it  shall  be  considered  as 
in  force  until  the  appeal  shall  be  issued."  The  sentence  appealed  from  in 
this  was  none  of  these,  but  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation,  and, 
therefore,  the  sentence  was  not  "in  force  until  the  appeal  was  issued;"  and 
if  it  was  not  in  force  I  was  pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church  while  the  case  was 
sub  judice;  and  in  my  judgment  the  soundness  of  this  conclusion  is  not 
affected  by  the  question  whether  Synod  did  or  did  not  do  right  in  entertain- 
ing the  appeal,  or  whether  an  appeal  would  or  would  not  be,  in  such  a  case, 
right  or  wrong;  it  was  the  decision  of  Synod,  and  I  had  a  right  to  act  under 
it.  Presbytery  could  no  more  set  it  aside  than  I  could  the  action  of  Pres- 
bytery. 

But  with  the  ecclesiastical  right  in  my  hands,  it  was  still  a  grave  question 
of  Christian  expediency  what  I  ought  to  do.  This  matter  I  tried  to  look  at 
fairly  and  conscientiously.  I  weighed  the  matter  in  my  mind  for  two  weeks, 
notwithstanding  urgent  solicitations  to  decide  it  at  once.  My  complaint  sets 
forth  with  sufficient  distinctness  the  reasons  that  determined  me  to  return  to 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  267 

my  pulpit.  I  put  them  in  my  complaint,  that  the  members  of  Presbytery 
might  have  an  opportunity  of  knowing  them  and  canvassing  them.  I  will 
only  recapitulate  them  here  : 

1.  In  a  Session  of  seven,  six  Elders  urged  me  to  this  course. 

2.  The  Standing  Committee  of  Session  to  secure  supphes  invited  me  to 
preach.  The  action  of  Presbytery  had  been  a  simple  dissolution  of  the  pas- 
toral relation,  at  least  so  it  appeared  upon  its  minutes. 

3.  The  Church,  by  a  very  large  majority,  I  knew,  and  it  Mill  not  be 
denied,  desired  me  to  preach.  The  interest  of  the  Church  seemed  to  de- 
mand that  I  should  do  so.  The  congregation  was  in  danger  of  scattering. 
They  were  without  preaching.  In  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  Church 
it  was  almost  impossible  to  get  a  supply.  An  effort  had  been  made;  a 
most  excellent  brother  had  come  as  a  supply  for  a  short  time  during  my  disa- 
biUty,  and  while  he  was  received  kindly  by  all  parties,  he  could  not  be 
induced  to  remain.     This  must  be  the  case  until  Synod  shall  meet. 

4.  I  was  urged  by  a  number  of  gentlemen  of  prominence  in  the  commu- 
nity—none of  them  members  of  my  Church,  and  some  of  them  not  members 
of  any  Church,  but  all  of  them  anxious  that  the  position  of  the  President 
in  relation  to  the  Church  should  be  known — immediately  to  resume  my 
labors  as  the  speediest  way  of  undoing  the  wrong  that  had  been  done ;  and 
as  I  was  then  con\'inced  that  the  President  had  never  sanctioned  what  the 
military  had  done,  and  as  the  interests  of  the  Church  seemed  to  require  me 
to  return  to  my  pulpit,  this  had  no  small  influence  wath  me. 

5.  As  to  the  minority  in  the  Church,  there  had  been  an  important  change 
in  its  relation  to  the  Church.  True,  I  knew  some  were  determined  to  stay 
and  fight  it  out,  but  several  families  of  the  most  influence  in  the  minority, 
before  my  military  sentence  was  removed,  had  taken  pews  in  other  churches, 
and  expressed  the  determination  to  have  nothing  more  to  do  with  the  mat- 
ter. Others  showed  a  disposition  to  return,  and  expressed  themselves  sat- 
isfied, and  received  me  cordially  as  their  pastor ;  and  still  a  larger  part  of 
the  minority,  and  that  a  very  active  and  bitter  part,  without  any  reference 
to  me,  and  when  they  thought  I  would  not  be  permitted  to  preach  during 
the  war,  had  made  arrangements  to  establish  a  Mission  Church  in  a  distant 
part  of  the  city.  They  had  a  minister  on  the  ground,  they  had  once  applied 
for  their  certificates  of  dismission  to  organize  the  Church,  but  withdrew  the 
request,  and  will  certainly  take  them  as  soon  as  they  are  no  longer  needed 
as  a  reserve  force  to  carry  on  the  contest  in  the  Church. 

Looking  at  all  the  circumstances,  I  judged  it  my  duty  to  do  what  I  did — 


268  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

return  to  my  pulpit  until  the  case  was  decided.  I  had  the  right  to  do  so. 
I  judged  it  expedient.  It  was  painful  to  me  to  stand  in  such  a  relation  to 
those  who  so  bitterly  denounced  me  and  so  wrongly  accused  me.  My  con- 
gregations were  good,  although  but  few  of  the  minority  attended.  That  few 
will  do  me  the  justice  to  admit  that  I  made  their  stay  as  pleasant  as  I  could ; 
that  I  never  alluded  in  sermon  or  prayer  in  an  offensive  way  to  our  Church 
troubles. 

When  Presbytery  met  last  month  they  passed  the  action  against  which  I 
am  here  to  complain. 

I  have  complained  of  it  as  hasty,  harsh  and  most  unjust,  and  as  passed 
when  not  only  the  representatives  of  Pine  Street  Church  and  myself,  but  a 
large  number  of  the  members  of  Presbytery  were  prevented,  by  reason  of  a 
mihtary  order  with  which  we  could  not  with  a  good  conscience  comply. 

The  action  was  hasty;  no  proper  inquiry  was  made  into  the  facts  upon 
which  Presbytery  was  called  to  act.  All  that  Presbytery  heard  was  from 
two  members  of  the  committee  of  Presbytery,  neither  of  whom  had  ever 
had  a  word  of  conversation  with  me  or  with  any  member  of  the  Session  of 
Pine  Street  Church,  except  the  memorialist,  on  the  subject;  neither  of  whom 
probably  knew  that  the  matter  was  coming  up  before  Presbytery,  and  both 
of  w^hom  had  voted  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation.  Now  this,  and  an  ex 
parte  statement  from  the  Elder  who  drew  up  the  memorial,  was  all  that 
Presbytery  heard — it  was  all  they  seemed  to  desire  to  hear.  They  have  from 
the  beginning  shown  a  strange  indifference  to  hearing  me,  an  indifference 
that  I  have  thought  amounted  to  a  reluctance.  They  voted  down  a  resolu- 
tion to  refer  the  matter  to  their  own  committee ;  and  this  reason  is  said  to 
have  been  given  by  a  member  of  Presbytery,  now  a  member  of  this  body, 
that  it  would  not  do  to  delay  action,  as  the  party  in  the  Church  favorable  to 
me  was  gaining  strength  every  day,  and  it  would  soon  be  too  late,  or  words 
to  that  effect.  At  any  rate  the  matter  M'as  dispatched  as  if  no  time  was  to 
be  lost. 

This  action  I  complain  of  as  haish.  The  memorial  of  nine  members  of 
the  Church,  which  is  made  a  part  of  the  record  of  Presbytery,  in  addition 
to  a  false  statement  about  the  number  who  had  left  the  Church,*  charges 
me  with  "want  of  submission  to  Presbytery;"  "with  encouraging  a  revo- 


*  The  memorial  sent  to  Presbytery,  which  was  sigried  only  by  nine  members, 
claims  "  nearly  a  hundred."  The  six  members  of  Session,  in  their  complaint  to 
Assembly,  say,  after  a  careful  examination  of  the  roll,  allowing  all  the  names  the 
minority  can  possibly  claim,  that  it  is  about  fifty. 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  269 

lutionary,  contumacious  spirit,"  and  *' preventing  a  Christian  spirit  from 
being  shown;"  with  " gathering  members  to  the  Church  (some  of  whom 
joined  upon  profession  of  faith,  and  all  of  whom  joined  v.dthout  solicitation 
upon  my  part),  more  from  a  desire  to  aid  in  a  party  triumph  than  from  any 
desire  to  build  up  the  Church  of  Christ. "  And  the  action  of  Presbytery  is 
based  upon  and  apparently  endorses  the  statements,  and  does  it  without 
hearing  me,  without  any  evidence  that  would  have  satisfied  impartial  men 
that  they  were  true,  and  when  in  fact  they  were  false  and  libelous.  Mode- 
rator, I  ask  the  Assembly,  what  is  a  minister's  character  worth  if  such  pro- 
ceedings are  allowed  ?  I  ask  them  to  compare  the  course  of  St.  Louis 
Presbytery  with  the  solemn  words  of  our  noble  Standards — Dis.  ch.  V., 
$  I :  "As  the  honor  and  success  of  the  gospel  depends  in  a  great  measure 
on  the  character  of  its  ministers,  each  Presbytery  ought,  with  the  greatest 
care  and  impartiality,  to  watch  over  the  personal  and  professional  conduct 
of  all  its  ministers.  But  as,  on  the  one  hand,  no  minister  ought,  on 
account  of  his  office,  to  be  screened  from  the  hand  of  justice,  nor  his 
offenses  to  be  slightly  censured,  so  neither  ought  scandalous  charges  be 
received  against  him  by  a  judicatory  on  slight  grounds."  And  yet  St. 
Louis  Presbytery  received  such  charges  against  me,  from  a  man  whom  they 
could  not  but  know  that  I  regarded  as  so  hostile  to  me  as  to  be  incapable  of 
doing  me  justice  ;  and  they  receive  them  not  as  a  ground  of  charges  to  be 
investigated,  but  as  things  true  and  a  ground  of  action,  and  spread  the  me- 
morial hi  full  upon  their  minutes,  without  one  word  to  show  that  they  did 
not  fully  endorse  them  ;  and  I  appeal  to  every  one  if  this  is  not  the  impres- 
sion that  memorial  and  action  will  make  on  those  who  come  after  us. 

The  haste  and  harshness  of  this  proceeding  is  aggravated  by  its  gi'oss 
injustice.  If  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Missouri,  in  receiving  the  appeal 
and  declaring  it  to  be  in  order,  suspended  the  effect  of  their  action,  what 
right  had  they  to  censure  me  ?  I  do  not  argue  the  question,  whether  the 
Synod  ought  to  have  received  an  appeal  in  such  a  case.  It  is  not  necessary 
that  I  should,  and  I  do  not  wish  to  take  the  time.  If  it  comes  up,  I  wish 
some  member  of  the  House  would  take  the  pains  to  examine  it  in  the  light 
of  the  recorded  facts  of  this  case,  and  I  venture  the  assertion,  that  if  he 
comes  to  the  conclusion  that  an  appeal  does  not  lie  in  this  case,  he  will,  at 
the  same  time,  have  to  admit  that  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  fractions  of 
Presbyteries  may  commit  the  grossest  outrages  upon  the  rights  of  pastors 
and  Churches,  for  which  there  is  no  adequate  remedy  until  the  remedy  is 
too  late.     My  position,   however,   is  :    Admit  that  Synod  was  mistaken, 


270  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

erroneous,  violated  the  Constitution,  St.  Louis  Presbytery  was  not  the 
body  to  correct  the  mistake  or  interpret  the  Constitution  for  Synod ;  that  the 
action  of  Synod  should  have  protected  me  from  the  censure  of  Presbytery, 
and  that  Presbytery  are  hable  to  censure  for  so  harsh  an  action,  which  was 
unjust  in  itself  and  unjust  in  them  to  administer. 

And  this  injustice  is  accompanied  by  another  act  of  the  grossest  injustice, 
which  characterized  all  the  proceedings  of  Presbytery  from  first  to  last,  viz. : 
permitting  an  Elder  of  my  Church — a  man  known  to  be  most  hostile  to  me — 
in  long  speeches,  by  direct  statements,  by  insinuations,  and  by  all  the  means 
a  perverted  ingenuity  can  invent,  to  make  charges  against  me  of  matters 
connected  with  my  duties  as  a  citizen,  which,  if  they  mean  any  thing  that  a 
Church  court  should  hear  at  all,  are  crimes  that  the  court  was  bound  to  try, 
and  for  which  I  should  be  punished  if  I  am  guilty.  This  I  feel  to  be  utterly 
intolerable,  and  for  which  I  have  a  right  to  look  for  redress. 

I  ask  the  Assembly  to  look  at  another  point  which  I  make  in  my  complaint. 
Synod  received  the  appeal  and  complaint  against  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral 
relation,  declared  it  to  be  in  order,  and  docketed  it  for  trial.  What  right 
had  St.  Louis  Presbytery  to  decide  that  Synod  would  not  take  the  matter 
up  as  an  appeal  ?  The  fact  is,  Synod  did  receive  it  as  an  appeal  and  not  a 
member  of  St.  Louis  Presbytery  objected ;  but  if  an  appeal,  the  book  de- 
clares "the  necessary  effect  is  to  suspend  all  further  proceeding  on  the 
ground  of  the  sentence  appealed  from,"  except  in  specified  cases,  of  which 
this  is  not  one.  But  this  action  of  Presbytery  is  "  further  proceedings  on  the 
ground  of  the  sentence  appealed  from;  "  the  original  minute  is,  ^^  Resolved, 
that  the  reqtcest  of  Pine  Street  Church  be  granted  and  the  pastoral  rela- 
tion dissolved;"  and  now  Presbytery  go  on  and  add  an  additional  sentence, 
that  I  shall  not,  even  if  invited  by  the  Session,  preach  in  the  pulpit  of  Pine 
Street  Church.  Now,  sir,  I  hold  that  the  entertaining  of  the  appeal  by 
Synod  took  the  case  entirely  out  of  the  hands  of  Presbytery ;  that  the  dis- 
solution of  the  pastoral  relation  was  not  operative  until  Synod  should  issue 
the  case  ;  that  if  the  higher  court  should  sustain  the  appeal  no  new  instal- 
ment would  be  necessary,  and,  therefore,  that  Presbytery,  on  the  grounds 
of  the  action  of  June  23,  had  no  right  to  prohibit  me  from  exercising  the 
functions  of  a  minister  to  Pine  Street  Church ;  and  this  position,  I  contend, 
is  not  affected  by  the  fact  whether  Synod  ought  or  ought  not  to  have  received 
the  appeal,  for  that  was  not  a  question  for  Presbytery,  but  for  a  higher  court 
to  decide. 

Now,  sir,  I  only  add,  in  aggravation  of  the  injustice  and  wrong  of  Pres- 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  27 1 

bytery  toward  me,  that  the  action  would  not  have  passed  had  not  the  mem- 
bers of  Presbytery  been  prevented  from  attending  by  the  mihtary  order, 
which  required  conditions  with  which  we  say  with  a  good  conscience 
we  could  not  comply.  I  shall  not  argue  this  matter  at  all.  If  any  one 
can  not  see  why  some  of  us  refuse  to  attend  ecclesiastical  courts  upon 
the  conditions  imposed  in  this  order,  I  know  that  I  am  powerless  to 
show  him  what  my  scruples  are.  I  have  no  trouble  about  taking  an  oath, 
for  I  have  taken  an  oath  which  the  military  say  is  sufficient.  But  I  have 
trouble  about  taking  any  oath  as  a  condition  of  sitting  in  an  ecclesiastical 
court.  I  have  trouble  in  refusing  a  member  of  an  ecclesiastical  court  his 
seat  until  I  inquire  if  he  has  taken  an  oath.  I  have  trouble  in  rejecting  him 
if  he  has  all  the  qualifications  which  the  Church  requires,  even  if  he  wants 
qualifications  which  this  order  requires.  I  have  trouble  in  an  ecclesiastical 
court  in  any  way  enforcing  a  military  order.  These  troubles  and  scruples 
are  none  of  them  removed  by  the  fact  that  I  am  thoroughfy  convinced  that 
the  end  aimed  at  in  this  order  was  an  end  which  the  military  authorities  were 
bound  in  some  way  to  effect — namely,  to  prevent  bodies  of  men  of  influence 
from  meeting  and  acting  in  a  way  injurious  to  the  State,  if  they  have  any 
reason  to  suspect  that  such  bodies  of  men  are  about  to  meet.  I  am  more- 
over convinced  that  there  was  no  purpose  on  the  part  of  the  military  authori- 
ties to  interfere  with  the  liberties  of  the  Church.  I  will  say,  moreover,  that 
I  can  not  and  do  not  blame  the  military  authorities,  in  States  where  there  is 
a  division  of  sentiment  upon  the  \Tital  national  questions  convulsing  the 
country,  for  suspecting  ecclesiastical  courts.  It  seems  to  me  the  Church  has 
brought  this  evil  upon  herself;  for  if  Church  courts,  when  their  members 
approve  of  the  action  of  Government,  have  a  right  as  a  Church  court  to  say 
so,  the  argument  is  near  at  hand  that  those  who  disapprove  may  feel  that 
they  have  a  right  to  express  their  disapprobation.  Why  should  not  the 
military  conclude  they  will  ?  If  Church  courts  will  "handle  and  conclude  " 
*' civil  affairs  which  concern  the  Commonwealth,"  then  an  inexorable  logic 
compels  me  to  admit  the  Commonwealth  has  a  right  to  know  what  they  are 
handling  and  how  they  conclude  them.  I  can  not  see  why,  if  the  Church, 
as  she  has,  comes  in  and  takes  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  State,  that  the 
State  should  not  come  in  and  take  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  Church.  I  am 
honestly  convinced  that  all  that  I  object  to  in  this  order  is  owing  to  the  un- 
fortunate way  in  which  a  legitimate  end  was  sought  to  be  attained.  If  the- 
ologians should  undertake  to  write  orders  affecting  the  movements  of  armies, 
they  would  be  in  gi-eat  danger  of  entangling  them  in  hopeless  confusion; 


272  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

and  it  is  equally  difficult  for  any  military  man  to  make  orders  about  Churches 
or  Church  courts  which  will  not  throw  them  into  confusion.  But  all  this 
does  not  relieve  the  difficulty  when  the  thing  required  is  felt  to  be  something 
which  it  offends  conscience  to  do.  The  whole  subject  is  full  of  difficulty  and 
perplexity.  The  only  practical  solution  that  I  know  is,  for  those  who  can 
not  comply  with  orders  that  are  thought  to  be  necessary,  to  make  a  respectful 
petition  for  a  removal  of  what  they  regard  as  a  grievance  ;  and  if  this  can 
not  be  had,  quietly  to  remain  at  home  until  matters  right  themselves  or  the 
orders  are  reversed.  This,  I  say,  seems  to  me  the  only  practical  way  of  at 
once  obeying  the  order  and  keeping  a  good  conscience.  I  am  glad,  how- 
ever, that  this  whole  subject  is  beginning  to  attract  attention  and  awaken 
discussion.  The  thing  to  be  settled  are  the  principles  that  underlie  the 
whole  question.  And  permit  me  to  say,  that  while  those  of  us  who  are  in 
circumstances  mc^t  to  be  affected  by  the  apparent  collision  between  Church 
and  State  are  glad  to  see  the  matter  discussed,  some  of  us  greatly  regret  that 
any  of  our  Church  papers  have  made,  as  nearly  all  of  them  have,  the 
religious  sentiments  of  the  Commanding  General  a  part  of  the  argument, 
as  though  his  being  a  Roman  Cathohc  had  induced  him  to  issue  this  order 
against  Protestants.  This  is  most  unjust,  and  I  am  utterly  incapable  of 
taking  any  advantage  of  the  prejudice  which  such  an  impression,  uncontra- 
dicted, might  make  in  a  body  of  Protestants.  There  is  no  evidence  what- 
ever that  this  had  any  thing  to  do  in  the  matter.  Its  terms  embrace  Roman 
Catholic  as  Avell  as  Protestant  assemblies.  The  fact  is,  this  order,  as  ex- 
plained, appears  to  me  to  bear  more  heavily  upon  them  than  upon  any  other 
denomination,  for  it  seems  to  require  that  all  clergymen  shall  take  the  oath 
prescribed  to  those  who  solemnize  matrimony;  and  as  marriage  is  to  the 
Roman  Catholic  a  sacrament,  I  can  well  see  how  he  may  have  difficulties 
which  I  do  not  have,  for  I  have  no  difficulty  about  taking  an  oath  to  qualify 
me  to  solemnize  matrimony;  it  is,  in  one  aspect  of  it,  a  civil  contract,  which 
I  admit  the  State  has  a  right  to  regulate ;  but  if  I  regarded  it  as  a  sacrament 
of  Christ's  Church,  then  I  would  have  objections,  yes,  and  very  great  ob- 
jections, to  qualifying  myself  to  perform  a  sacrament  by  an  oath  to  the 
State ;  and  I  am  free  to  say  if  I  were  a  Protestant  General  I  would  not 
enforce  such  an  oath  upon  a  Roman  Catholic  priest,  and  if  I  were  a  Roman 
Catholic  priest  I  would  not  take  it.  But  what  I  want  to  say  is,  that  those 
are  looking  in  altogether  the  wrong  direction  who  think  our  troubles  come 
from  Roman  Catholic  Generals  or  any  other  kind  of  generals.  It  comes 
from   Protestants — yes,    and   from  Presbyterians — the   members    of  your 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  2/^ 

OiUrches  over  whom  you  have  a  direct  control ;  these  are  the  persons  who- 
have  troubled  your  Churches  and  pastors.  They  ask  for  these  orders;  they 
urge  the  mihtary  to  make  them.  This  order  was,  I  firmly  believe,  askedi 
by  one  Protestant  denomination  against  another.  When  St.  Louis  Presby- 
tery was  about  to  meet,  the  Provost-Marshal  was  waited  upon  by  a  minister, 
now  a  commissioner  here,  and  an  Elder  of  my  Church,  and  he  was  asked 
as  a  favor  to  send  a  deputy  to  Presbytery  to  carry  out  the  order.  The  help 
we  ask  from  this  Assembly,  the  help  we  think  you  ought  to  give  us,  is  to 
make  such  a  deliverance  as  will  show  that  you  disapprove  of  your  Church 
members  carrying  Church  matters  before  military  tribunals  for  settlement. 
Tell  your  Church  members,  when  your  ministers  do  things  w^hich  ministers 
ought  not  to  do  to  bring  the  case  before  the  Church  court  and  not  before 
military  tribunals.     This  will  relieve  the  military  and  relieve  your  ministers. 

I  am  sorry  to  have  occupied  so  much  time.  I  would  not  have  come 
before  this  body  with  any  personal  matter.  There  are  principles  involved 
in  this  case  which  are  of  vital  interest  to  many  of  your  Churches,  and,  in 
concluding,  I  will  state  distinctly  what  they  are  :  Besides  the  purely  eccle- 
siastical questions  in  this  case,  there  is  the  question,  how  far  you  will  ap- 
prove of  the  members  of  the  Church  invoking  military  authority  to  control 
your  Churches  ?  And  another  question  is,  what  Hmits  does  the  Presbyterian 
Church  allow  to  its  pastors,  who,  from  conscientious  convictions  of  duty, 
have  stood  aloof  in  the  pulpit  and  pastorate  from  the  civil  contest  now  deso- 
lating the  land  ?  This,  after  all,  underlies  my  whole  case.  This,  all  parties 
will  agree,  has  created  the  trouble  in  Pine  Street  Church.  And  if  such  a 
question  is  to  come  up,  it  is  hardly  possible  it  should  come  so  free  from  side 
issues.  If  I  am  in  error  on  this  matter,  it  is  an  error  of  long  standing. 
My  record  runs  back  to  the  beginning  of  my  ministry.  I  have  not  taken 
it  with  reference  to  these  troubles.  I  have  only  adhered  to  a  life  long  rule 
in  these  times.  My  conduct  has  been  consistent,  uniform,  and  is  the  result 
of  conscientious  conviction.     This  every  one  knows  who  knows  me  at  all. 

I  do  not  wish  to  make  any  false  impressions.  I  will  give  you  frankly  my 
position :  As  a  citizen  I  have  done,  and  expect  to  continue  to  do,  all  duties 
enjoined  upon  me  by  the  Word  of  God,  and  that  Word  I  interpret  by  the 
standards  of  our  Church.  As  a  minister,  and  in  my  pulpit,  I  have  not 
taken,  and  do  not  expect  to  take,  any  part  in  our  civil  contest.  I  do  not 
ask  any  member  of  this  Assembly  to  say  that  my  course  in  this  respect 
meets  his  approval — that  he  would  have  acted  as  I  have.  But  I  do  ask  you 
if  you  will  undertake  to  compel  me  to  do  in  this  matter  what  with  a  good 
18 


274  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

conscience  I  tell  you  I  can  not  do,  or  to  punish  me  for  not  having  done  it  ? 
Is  it  a  sine  qua  non  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  that  your  ministers,  as 
such,  must  take  an  active  part  in  our  national  struggle  ?  I  ask  you  to  leave 
me  the  freedom  and  Christian  liberty  which  the  Standards  of  our  Church 
give  me. 

I  admit  most  fully  that  Christian  congregations  have  the  same  liberty  on 
this  class  of  subjects  that  I  claim  for  myself  and  accord  to  others.  If  my 
Church  insisted  on  my  pursuing  a  different  course,  I  would  not  have  been 
here  with  any  complaint  about  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation.  But 
on  that  subject  my  Church  are  satisfied.  Every  Elder  but  one,  the  whole 
body  of  the  deacons  and  the  great  majority  of  the  communicants — those  who 
built  the  Church,  those  who  sustain  it,  those  without  whom  it  will  not  be 
self-sustaining'^ — tell  you,  in  all  the  forms  they  can,  that  they  are  satisfied. 
This  Assembly  will  have  to  come  in  and  say  I  shall  not  minister  to  them 
because,  as  a  minister,  I  stand  aloof  from  this  civil  strife.  Of  course,  the 
same  principle  that  applies  to  me  in  my  present  charge  applies  to  me  every 
where.  If  I  am  separated  from  this  Church  I  ought  not  to  be  installed  over 
any  other  Church. 

Moderator,  this  seems  to  me  to  be  the  principle  that  is  involved  and  the 
question  that  will  be  decided.  I  neither  ask  nor  desire  the  Assembly  to  let 
their  decision  be  influenced  by  any  consideration  but  the  consideration  of 
what  is  right.  The  Presbyterian  Church  can  well  afford  to  do  without  my 
services  in  any  of  her  churches ;  the  question  is,  can  she  afford  to  declare 
the  principle  she  will  declare  in  practically  throwing  me  out  of  her  ministry. 
One  more  word  and  I  am  done.  I  came  up  here  to  complain  of  St.  Louis 
Presbytery.  I  have  made  no  complaint  of  any  other  parties.  I  have  said 
nothing  of  what  the  minority  in  my  Church  have  done.  I  want  the  Pres- 
bytery to  have  the  fullest  and  ablest  defense,  and  I  care  not  who  makes  it. 
It  may  be  by  members  of  Presbytery  or  by  any  other  person  they  may 
choose  to  have,  though  not  a  member  of  Presbytery,  if  you  judge  proper  to 
allow  it;  but  I  wish  to  remind  the  members  of  that  Presbytery  that  charges 
and  insinuations  against  me  as  a  **  disloyal  man"  is  no  part  of  their  defense. 
If  I  am  disloyal  in  any  sense  that  should  have  any  injurious  effect  upon  my 

*It  was  stated  in  the  complaint  of  members  of  Session  to  the  Assembly,  that  the 
report  made  by  the  Treasurer  of  Pine  Street  Church  to  the  committee  of  Presbytery 
appointed  to  look  into  its  condition  shows  that  in  a  period  of  nine  years  the  average 
contributions  of  the  whole  minority,  covering  all  the  current  expenses  of  the 
Church,  such  as  liquidation  of  Church  debt,  pew  rents,  repairs  of  the  church  and  inci- 
dental expenses,  amounted  to  less  than  $400  a  5'ear.  The  same  report  shows  that 
the  entire  pecuniary  interest  they  have  in  the  Church  property  is  $1,825. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  275 

case  before  this  court,  I  am  guilty  not  only  of  crime,  but  perjury ;  and  when 
I  am  tried  for  this  crime  I  want  it  done  upon  charges  regularly  tabled.  I 
want  the  evidence  not  in  loose  statements  and  insinuations  and  patriotic 
speeches,  but  as  testimony  under  oath.  I  want  to  have  an  opportunity  to 
examine  the  testimony.  The  very  grossest  of  all  the  wrongs  done  me  has 
been  that  my  Presbytery  has  listened  to  statements  made  about  me  which 
those  who  made  them  would  not  have  dared ^to  make  under  oath.  For 
nearly  two  years  I  have  asked  again  and  again  if  any  man  has  anything  to 
allege  against  me  as  a  Christian  citizen  that  is  criminal  according  to  the 
teaching  of  God's  Word  or  our  standards,  that  he  will  make  his  charge  and 
produce  his  witness.  Now,  sir,  what  I  have  asked  as  a  defiance  of  my 
accusers,  I  demand  as  a  right  of  this  Assembly ;  and  if  you  hear  any  state- 
ments made  or  any  insinuations  thrown  out  that  leaves  the  impression  on 
your  minds  that  I  am  guilty  of  such  an  offense,  or  that  raises  doubts  in  your 
minds,  that  you  order  St.  Louis  Presbytery  to  take  that  matter  up  and  issue 
the  case.  I  thank  the  Assembly  for  the  patience  and  attention  with  which 
they  have  listened  to  me,  and  I  hope  they  may  be  guided  by  God's  Spirit  to 
a  wise  and  just  decision. 

'  After  Mr.  Strong  concluded,  fifteen  minutes  were  allowed 
Dr.  McPheeters  to  correct  misstatements  made  by  Mr.  Strong. 

Moderator:  The  Assembly  can  now  see  why  I  objected  to  statements 
affecting  my  character  not  made  under  the  solemnity  of  an  oath.  You  have 
heard  for  seven  hours  the  speech  of  a  lawyer  accustomed  to  an  ingenious 
working  up  of  evidence  and  facts  to  suit  his  purposes.  He  has  gone  over 
the  history  of  the  war  in  Missouri.  He  has  pretended  to  state  facts  de- 
signed to  prejudice  your  minds  and  cast  suspicion  upon  the  character  of 
members  of  my  Church;  he  has  thrown  out  insinuations  and  made  infer- 
ences, blending  things  true  and  not  true,  as  suited  him.  I  began  to  take 
notes  of  his  misstatements ;  I  have  a  sheet  full  before  me.  I  can  not  in 
the  time  allowed  take  them  up  one  by  one  and  refute  them.  I  can  give  you 
but  a  specimen  of  one  or  two  which  I  will  take  just  as  they  are  noted.  He 
says  the  fate  of  Fort  Sumpter  was  announced  with  exultation  by  a  member 
of  Pine  Street  Church,  a  friend  of  mine,  and  Mr.  Strong  knows  that  this 
has  been  publicly  denied,  over  his  own  signature,  by  the  gentleman  accused. 
It  served  a  purpose  to  state  the  charge  and  omit  the  denial.  He  says  a 
letter  found  in  a  "captured  rebel  mail  bag"  speaks  of  Dr.  McPheeters  as 
giving  great  comfort  to  known  traitors,  or  words  to  that  effect.     The  letter 


276  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

alluded  to  was  published,  and  it  was  evident  from  the  letter  that  the  Dr. 
McPheeters  was  in  the  South,  and  was  a  doctor  of  medicine.  This,  I  say, 
was  manifest  in  the  letter,  but  Mr.  Strong  has  no  scruples  about  stating  it 
here  and  leaving  you  to  believe  that  I  was  the  person.  This  is  his  man- 
ner, and  the  reason  I  want  him  to  make  his  statements  under  oath. 

Again,  he  says  I  baptized  a  child  named  Sterling  Price,  dressed  in 
"rebel  colors,"  &c.,  &c.  Mr.  S.  says  he  was  not  there,  I  was,  and  saw- 
no  rebel  colors,  and  I  do  not  believe  there  were  any.  As  to  the  baptism, 
I  administered  just  as  the  Directory  of  Worship  appoints.  I  name  my  own 
children  and  other  people  name  theirs.  I  was  not  consulted  as  to  the  name, 
and  had  no  more  responsibilty  than  the  Clerk  of  Sessions  who  recorded  it. 
But  I  can  not  waste  my  time  on  points  like  these.  The  Assembly  will  notice 
that  Mr.  Strong  attacks  every  one  who  differs  from  him,  as  "disloyal." 
The  Session  is  disloyal,  the  body  of  Pine  Street  Church  is  disloyal.  Synod  is 
disloyal.  In  Missouri  we  are  accustomed  to  this.  There  are  men  who  set 
themselves  up  as  standards,  and  if  you  differ  from  them  they  denounce  you 
as  "disloyal."  Mr.  Strong  has  had  a  great  deal  to  say  about  my  not 
coming  out  and  giving  my  views  about  the  war,  when  he  and  a  few  others 
made  the  demand  of  me  to  which  I  alluded  in  my  first  speech.  It  seems 
from  what  he  now  says  that  the  Provost-Marshal  had  determined  to  arrest 
me  upon  my  return  from  Columbus  for  what  I  did  in  the  Assembly ;  that 
he  endorsed  me  as  "loyal,"  and  begged  him  not  to  arrest  me,  promising 
him  if  he  would  not  that  when  I  came  back  he  would  get  from  me  a  state- 
ment that  would  satisfy  the  Provost-Marshal.  Hence  his  letter  to  me.  It 
was  to  satisfy  the  Provost- Marshal  that  he  got  up  his  letter,  addressed  to 
me  as  pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church,  asking  my  views  of  the  war.  Well, 
sir,  instead  of  such  an  uncandid  course  as  this,  why  did  he  not  come  to  me 
and  frankly  tell  me  how  the  case  stood,  and  let  me  have  some  little  choice  as 
to  the  way  in  which  I  would  act  in  the  premises.  Instead  of  that  he  under- 
takes to  draw  from  me,  as  pastor,  a  written  statement  of  my  views  of  the 
war.  He  was  aiming  at  one  thing  and  I  at  another.  He  was  determined  to 
get  something  to  satisfy  the  Provost-Marshal,  and  I  was  determined,  as  a 
pastor,  to  j|eep  free  from  all  entanglement  with  political  and  civil  matters. 
What  a  world  of  trouble  a  little  manly  frankness  would  have  saved. 

This  explains  what  I  did  not  understand  at  the  time  of  the  correspon- 
dence .  Mr.  Strong,  just  before  his  letter,  came  to  me  twice  and  asked  me 
to  go  to  the  Provisional  Governor  of  Missouri  and  make  favorable  mention  of 
him  as  a  suitable  person  to  be  appointed  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  277 

the  State,  and  while,  for  reasons  which  I  gave  him,  I  never  did  as  requested, 
yet  it  seemed  to  me  very  strange  that  he  should  make  such  a  request  if  he 
thought  me  so  notoriously  a  bad  citizen  as  to  injure  my  character  as  a 
Christian  minister ! 

One  more  point  and  I  am  done.  Mr.  Strong  has  told  you  that  he  saw 
the  original  order  against  me  before  it  was  issued,  and  he  has  also  told  you 
that  he  accepted,  **  though  with  reluctance,"  the  office  of  Chairman  of  the 
Military  Commission  to  manage  Pme  Street  Church  and  selected  his  asso- 
ciates !  He  tells  you,  too,  that  he  went  to  Washington  to  prevent  the  order 
being  revoked.  And  he,  an  Elder  in  that  Church,  and  under  solemn  vows 
to  God  to  study  the  peace,  purity  and  unity  of  the  Church  !  Yes,  he  vol- 
unteers to  tell  this  Assembly  that  he  gave  the  military  authorities  his  hand 
to  lay  upon  the  kingly  crown  of  Christ !  Sir,  I  knew  all  this  before,  but  I 
did  not  think  it  proper  to  introduce  it.  But  do  you  wonder  that  I  resisted 
and  protested  against  these  things  when  done  by  office-bearers  in  the  Church  ? 
Do  you  wonder  there  is  trouble  in  a  Presbyterian  Church  when  these  things 
are  done  ?  He  has  himself  told  you  the  whole  story.  He  was  behind  that 
order;  what  was  done  was  done  with  his  knowledge  and  consent.* 

*  Mr.  Strong-  drafted  the  original  order  of  December  19,  This  was  perfectly  plain 
from  internal  evidence,  and  was  afterward  publicly  stated  by  him  in  a  meeting  of 
the  Church.  His  statement  was  substantially  this  :  The  order  was  shown  him  ;  he 
regarded  the  language  as  too  severe  and  asked  the  privilege  of  mitigating  its  harsh- 
ness. It  was  granted  to  him,  and  he  wrote  the  order  as  it  was  issued.  This  explains 
everything  I 


278  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B,    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

remarks  of  drs.  rice,  junkin,  musgrave  and  schenck 

assembly's  decision — the  decision  reviewed. 

As  the  speeches  of  Hon.  WiUiam  T.  Wood  and  Rev.  Dr. 
McPheeters  have  been  reported  in  full,  it  will  not  be  without 
interest  to  record  the  sentiments  which  were  expressed  by- 
certain  members  of  the  Assembly  who  looked  at  the  case  of 
Dr.  McPheeters  from  opposite  points  of  view. 
Dr.  N.  L.  Rice  said- 
He  desired  to  specify  certain  peculiarities  of  this  case,  as  it  had  been 
conducted  before  the  Assembly,  and  which  made  it  unhke  any  thing  ever 
heard  of  in  adjudication. 

The  first  is,  we  have  heard  a  memorialist  in  this  case  and  given  him  all 
the  rights  of  an  original  party.  The  like  never  occurred  before  in  the  history 
of  our  Church,  and  it  presented  the  case  in  a  very  peculiar  light. 

The  second  peculiarity  is,  that  we  have  virtually  a  minister  on  trial — 
virtually  on  trial ;  visited,  too,  with  the  severest  penalties  that  could  res\ilt 
from  a  trial ;  and  yet  he  is  on  trial  without  charges,  without  citation,  without 
specifications  tabled,  without  a  list  of  witnesses ;  in  short,  without  any  of 
those  formalities  and  precautions  by  which  our  Constitution  guards  the  sacred 
rights  of  accused  ministers.  Ah,  sir,  it  is  a  sad  state  of  things  when  a 
minister  can  be  put  on  trial  for  his  character  and  ministerial  life  without 
allowing  him  any  of  the  means  of  protecting  himself  that  the  Constitution 
guarantees. 

Third  peculiarity  :  This  high  Court  of  Appeal  has  heard  a  large  amount 
of  statement  of  parties  as  if  it  were  testimony,  and  have  heard  many 
documents  read  which  are  not  matter  of  record.  Now,  a  Court  of  Appeal 
can  not,  without  violating  our  Constitution,  hear  any  documents  that  are  not 
matter  of  record ;  and  if  the  record  is  incomplete,  this  is  not  the  place  to 
complete  it ;  it  must  be  sent  back  to  the  lower  court  to  be  completed.     He 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  279 

felt  that  he  was,  perhaps,  to  blame  for  not  trying  to  arrest  this  irregularity; 
but  at  the  time  he  thought  best  not  to  do  it,  for  one  effort  in  that  direction 
had  met  with  ill  success.  He  lamented  that  a  Court  of  Jesus  Christ  had 
permitted  such  a  course,  and  by  it  so  involved  and  embarrassed  the  case. 
We  are  called  upon  to  decide  upon  statements  made  upon  both  sides — 
statements  made  and  contradicted— unsupported  by  testimony  given  under 
sanction  of  an  oath ;  statements  neither  proved  nor  disproved.  We  have 
permitted  the  absent  to  be  assailed  in  these  statements.  We  have  been  told 
that  a  large  majority  of  the  ministers  of  the  Synod  of  Missouri  are  disloyal, 
and,  of  course,  immoral.  The  whole  process  is  unprecedented.  Never 
are  we  in  greater  danger  than  when  we  are  trying  to  get  at  a  good  end  and 
are  unscrupulous  about  the  means  of  reaching  it.  He  illustrated  this  by  the 
ill-advised  arrangement  called  **The  Plan  of  Union"  of  1801.  The  end 
seemed  desirable ;  the  means  had  well  nigh  proved  disastrous.  He  would 
not  go  into  a  discussion  of  the  military  order  requiring  men  to  take  a  certain 
oath  in  order  to  qualify  for  a  seat  in  ecclesiastical  bodies.  It  was  certain 
that  many  good  men  could  not  take  that  oath.  Had  he  been  there  he  might 
have  taken  it;  but  when  he  went  to  Presbytery  he  was  bound  by  2i previous 
oath  to  go  into  Presbytery  by  our  Book.  One  principle  involved  in  this 
case  is,  the  validity  of  a  Presbytery  and  of  its  action  when  a  majority  of  the 
body  were  not  there  through  restraint.  Wise  and  good  men  could  not  take 
the  oath  as  a  qualification  to  attend  Presbytery;  they  thought  it  compromised 
their  rights  of  conscience,  and  the  Presbytery  should  have  been  very  careful 
what  they  did  under  such  circumstances. 

The  real  charge  brought  against  Dr.  McPheeters  was  disloyalty.  On 
this  the  opposition  of  the  minority  of  his  Church  was  based ;  on  this  the 
allegation  of  loss  of  usefulness  was  founded ;  on  this  charge  the  Presbytery 
proceeded.  This  is  manifest  in  all  the  pleadings  there  and  in  all  the 
pleadings  here.  This  was  a  charge  affecting  his  moral  character,  for 
disloyalty  is  a  sin.  Had  the  Presbytery  a  right  to  punish  him  for  this  sin 
and  to  fix  this  blot  upon  his  character  without  arraigning  him,  tabling 
charges  and  giving  him  an  opportunity  of  defense  ?  Suppose  Mr.  Strong 
had  come  up  before  Presbytery  saying,  "  My  pastor  has  been  guilty  of 
dishonesty,  or  my  pastor  has  been  drunk,  and  I  want  you  not  to  try  him 
for  drunkenness,  but  to  dissolve  his  pastoral  relation ;  for  after  being  drunk 
he  can  not  be  useful  in  the  Church  of  Pine  street."  Would  the  Presbytery 
have  listened  to  him  ?  Would  they  have  ventured  to  dissolve  his  pastoral 
relation  on  the  rumor  that  he  had  been  drunk,  without  ascertaining  the  facts 


28o  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

by  a  fair  and  legal  trial  ?  Would  they  have  dissolved  the  relation  and  yet 
left  the  minister  in  good  standing — praised,  even,  as  a  godly  and  excellent 
man  ?  No,  sir.  And  yet  this  is  just  what  they  did.  They  entertained  this 
charge  affecting  his  moral  character,  assumed  its  truth  without  citation,  trial 
or  testimony ;  fastened  the  charge  upon  him,  spotted  him  and  dissolved  his 
pastoral  relation ;  substantially  deposed  him  from  his  pastorate,  yet  pretended 
not  to  touch  his  good  standing  as  a  minister  j  left  him,  as  they  say,  in  good 
and  regular  standing.  If  Presbytery  believed  that  he  was  disloyal,  they 
should  have  tried  him  and  given  him  the  usual  opportunity  of  defense. 
They  did  not  go  far  enough  if  the  charge  is  well  founded;  if  he  was  loyal  they 
have  gone  too  far.  In  either  case  the  Presbytery  was  wrong.  A  Church 
court  is  bound  to  protect  its  humblest  member  against  false  accusations,  and 
no  man  is  to  be  assumed  to  be  guilty  without  trial  and  proof.  He  (Dr.  Rice) 
was  unwilling  to  have  the  world  scoff  at  us  for  having  ministers  in  good  and 
regular  standing,  yet  so  spotted  by  the  act  of  their  brethren  that  they  can  not 
be  asked  to  preach  in  our  pulpits.  If  we  sustain  the  Presbytery  in  this  act, 
who  would  dare  to  ask  Dr.  McPheeters  to  his  pulpit  ?  They  have  inflicted 
upon  him,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  the  extreme  sentence  of  ecclesiastical 
law,  and  yet  have  never  given  him  a  trial. 

In  times  of  excitement  like  these  words  lose  their  definitions.  What  is 
the  extent  of  the  words  loyal  and  loyalty?  It  is  difficult  to  get  the  same 
answer  from  any  two  men.  To  illustrate:  A  iew  years  ago  he  (Dr.  Rice) 
was  charged  with  being  an  abolitionist  by  one  class  of  men,  and  by  another 
class  with  being  pro-slavery;  and  both  charges  were  based  upon  the  grounds 
of  the  same  publication.  Dr.  McPheeters  did  not  declare  his  loyalty  to 
Mr.  Strong's  satisfaction.  He  (Dr.  Rice)  did  not  know  whether  that 
brother  is  loyal  or  not.  That  was  what  the  Presbytery  ought  to  have  found 
out  before  they  punished  him.  When  asked  upon  the  subject,  he  said  he 
had  taken  an  oath  of  allegiance  and  kept  it.  This  was  enough  up  to  the 
point  at  which  they  were  ready  to  try  him.  What  more  did  they  want  ? 
The  great  .principle  which  Hes  at  the  foundation  of  the  unity  of  the  Church 
is  this :  that  the  degree  of  unity  of  faith  and  practice  required  for  membership 
is  that  which  is  specified  in  the  Confession  of  Faith,  Government  and 
Disciphne  of  the  Church.  The  terms  of  membership  are  all  inside  of  the 
Book;  all  outside  of  it  does  not  belong  to  the  terms  of  union  and  communion. 
Dr.  Breckinridge  beheves  in  the  pre-millennial  advent  of  Christ;  the  speaker 
does  not.  We  must  be  left  to  do  as  we  please  in  regard  to  matters  outside 
of  the  Book ;  if  not,  the  terms  of  communion  are  violated  and  the  unity  of 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'fHEETERS,    D.  D.  281 

the  Church  destroyed.  You  must  alter  the  Book  before  you  can  punish  me 
for  what  is  outside  of  it.  Where  there  is  no  law  there  is  no  transgression. 
If  the  man  who  charges  this  brother  with  wrong  can  prove  that  he  has 
preached  or  done  what  this  Book  forbids,  or  refused  to  preach  or  do  what 
it  requires,  let  him  do  it  and  his  case  is  made  out.  But  you  can  not  convict 
him,  as  a  minister  and  a  Presbyterian,  of  crime  unless  the  Book  by  which 
he  has  agreed  to  be  tried  pronounces  it  a  crime ;  nor  can  you  convict  him 
of  what  it  does  condemn  without  proof.  The  question  is :  Has  the  minister 
done  any  thing  contrary  to  our  Book  and  to  the  Word  of  God?  If  it  is 
proved  that  he  has,  then  punish ;  not  before.  Take  the  position,  you  must 
come  up  to  my  standard  or  I  will  denounce  you,  and  the  peace  of  the 
Church  is  gone.  Take  the  position  that  a  Presbytery  can  fix  a  standard 
unknown  to  our  Book,  and  terms  of  communion  not  found  in  it,  and  the 
tinity  of  the  Church  is  destroyed.  If  the  Assembly  should  command  him 
(Dr.  Rice)  outside  of  this  Book,  he  would  not  obey. 

If  there  is  anything  about  this  man,  personally,  the  Presbytery  can  take  it 
up  in  an  orderly  way ;  but  they  have  no  right  to  spot  him  as  a  disloyal,  /.  e.y 
an  immoral  man,  without  a  trial.  Sustain  the  action  of  the  St.  Louis  Pres- 
bytery and  where  is  the  Church  that  will  have  him  ?  You  really  depose 
him  from  the  ministry.  Take  my  liberty,  take  my  property,  said  Dr.  Rice, 
but  do  not  kill  my  ministerial  character  \  Send  this  thing  back  to  the  Pres- 
bytery, and  if  they  find  him  disloyal,  let  them  go  farther;  if  not,  let  them 
not  go  so  far. 

If  a  man  can  stand  the  ordeal  of  a  military  vigilance  for  a  year  or  more, 
the  hue  and  cry  of  popular  clamor,  and  the  jealousy  of  public  suspicion, 
with  an  Elder  after  him  all  the  time,  pursuing  him  even  to  strange  cities,  he 
must  be  pure  indeed  if  he  stand  the  test.  But  this  brother  has  done  it. 
No  fault  has  been  proven,  and  he  is  found  a  pure  man,  even  his  enemies 
being  judges. 

Why,  sir,  Dr.  Hodge,  in  the  Assembly  of  1861,  took  quite  as  strong 
ground  as  Dr.  McPheeters  has  ever  taken  in  favor  of  non-intervention  of  the 
Church  in  political  matters.  Is  he  disloyal?  The  Synod  of  Kentucky 
passed  strong  resolutions  against  such  interference.  Dr.  R.  J.  Breckinridge 
taking  the  lead  in  them.  Is  Dr.  Breckinridge  disloyal  ?  If  a  man  can 
speak  seven  hours  witli  entire  license  to  say  what  he  pleased,  as  Mr.  Strong 
did,  and  yet  not  adduce  the  remotest  proof  or  make  any  show  of  a  case 
against  his  pastor's  loyalty,  it  is  surely  evidence  that  the  case  is  not  very 
capable  of  being  made. 


282  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

But  we  must  not  forget  there  was  one  astounding  proof:  he  baptized  a 
baby  by  the  name  of  "  Sterling  Price !  "  True,  he  did  not  know  it  before- 
hand— he  had  not  the  naming  of  the  child ;  and  because,  in  the  midst  of  the 
baptismal  sacrament,  he  did  not  back  out  at  the  name  he  is  disloyal  to  his 
country !  If  the  name  had  been  Beelzebub  it  might  hardly  have  been 
proper  to  falter.  And  yet  such  are  the  things  relied  upon  to  destroy  this 
man's  ministerial  character  for  loyalty,  together  with  the  moving  fact  that 
this  Elder  lay  with  a  pistol  under  his  head,  and  that  this  woman  had  said  so, 
and  that  woman  had  said  something  else  ! 

He  (Dr.  Rice)  did  not  know  whether  Dr.  McPheeters  was  loyal  or  not, 
but  he  held  him  so  till  it  was  proved  otherwise ;  and  until  it  is  proved  that 
he  is  guilty  he  would  defend  him.  God  forbid  that  he  should  vote  to  stop 
the  mouth  of  a  minister  whose  opponents  declare  him  to  be  a  pure,  holy, 
zealous  and  humble  Christian,  and  an  able  minister  of  the  Word.  Prove 
his  disloyalty,  and  he  would  go  further  than  the  Presbytery  went. 

He  would  briefly  notice  another  point.  This  pro-re-nata  meeting  was 
called  "to  consider  and  redress  grievances."  Called  at  whose  request? — 
that  of  the  pastor  or  of  the  congregation  ?  Neither ;  but  by  outsiders — minis- 
ters without  charges  and  Elders  of  other  Churches.  If  Pine  Street  Church 
had  grievances,  Pine  Street  Church  could  say  so;  but  outsiders  had  no  right 
to  come  in  and  ask  for  such  a  meeting.  The  result  was  reached  by  a  gross 
irregularity,  and  by  such  outside  interference  as  no  respectable  Church  in  the 
land  would  endure.  Presbytery  called  to  break  a  tie  which  those  most 
interested  did  not  wish  broken !  Sir,  I  do  not  know  how  I  should  feel 
with  the  miUtary  arm  pressing  me  on  one  side,  and  my  brethren,  who  ought 
to  protect  me,  pressing  me  on  the  other ;  but  I  doubt  whether  I  might  have 
passed  the  ordeal  as  well  as  this  brother. 

The  phrase,  "grant  the  request  of  the  Church,"  is  a  clerical  error,  it  is 
said,  and  doubtless  is,  for  the  Church  made  no  such  request;  and  Mr. 
Strong  got  himself  appointed  Commissioner  by  the  residue  of  the  meeting 
at  a  late  hour  in  the  night,  after  the  majority  had  withdrawn.  The  whole 
proceeding  was  irregular  and  unheard  of.  Now,  finally,  came  the  full 
release  from  disability  from  the  President  of  the  United  States.  Dr.  Mc- 
Pheeters was  there.  He  had  no  place  else  to  go.  He  had  a  right  to  preach ; 
the  Session  had  a  right  to  ask  him  to  preach.  The  pulpit  had  never  been 
formally  declared  vacant.  The  Presbytery  had  never  forbidden  him  to 
preach.  He  was  urged  to  enter  upon  duty  ;  he  did  so,  and  then  the  Pres- 
bytery came  down  upon  him  with  this  prohibition  to  minister  there,  of  which 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  283 

he  here  complains.  Moderator,  it  is  a  very  serious  question  whether  you 
will  conciliate  that  Church  and  secure  for  our  action  the  confidence  and 
respect  of  men  by  approving  such  a  series  of  blunders. 

Dr.  Musgrave  said  :  "1  fully  justify  the  Government  in  all  they  have  done 
in  the  way  of  military  arrests,  orders  and  restraints.  ...  I  approve  of 
the  suspension  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus,''''  &c. 

Dr.  Schenck  remarked :  "Had  I  been  in  Missouri  I  would  cheerfully 
have  taken  the  oath,  and  I  can  perceive  no  good  reason  why  every  minister 
in  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis  should  not  have  done  so." 

Dr.  George  Junkin,  who,  in  the  Assembly  of  1862,  had  co-operated  with 
Dr.  Breckinridge,  now  returns  to  sounder  and  more  constitutional  views. 
He  said  "  that  most  of  the  points  to  which  he  would  have  spoken  had  been 
anticipated  by  Dr.  Rice,  and  made  so  clear  that  he  (Dr.  Junkin)  would  not 
touch  upon  them.  A  few  others  he  would  notice.  He  considered  the  prin- 
ciples  involved  in  this  case  to  be  of  transcendent  importance — principles  for 
which  our  Presbyterian  ancestors  in  North  Britain  long  struggled,  even 
under  the  cruelty  of  a  Charles  and  the  claymore  of  a  Claverhouse — princi- 
ples for  which  the  men  who  fought  under  the  *'  Banner  of  the  Blue  "  con- 
tended to  the  death.  The  rights  of  Christ's  crown  and  the  stipulations  of 
His  covenant  were  involved  in  this  case.  And  whilst  he  considered  Dr. 
McPheeters  politically  wrong,  he  was  ecclesiastically  right.  The  speaker 
would  not  have  done  as  his  brother  McPheeters  had  done  in  regard  to  civil 
affairs.  In  his  capacity  of  citizen  he  would  have  been  so  prompt  to  let  his 
decided  adherence  to  the  Government  be  known  that  no  one  would  have 
asked  the  tninister  questions  upon  the  subject.  But  one  man's  conscience  is 
not  the  guide  of  another  man's  actions.  Dr.  McPheeters'  course  was  marked 
out  by  his  own  peculiar  views  of  duty,  and  in  these  even  his  enemies  give 
him  credit  for  sincerity  and  conscientiousness.  If,  as  a  citizen,  he  erred  in  not 
displaying  zeal  enough  for  the  Government — if  even  his  seci'et  sympathies 
were  with  the  land  of  his  birth,  and  his  political  creed  was  not  orthodox 
(but  these  have  never  been  proven  to  have  been  so) — if  all  that  his  pursuers 
have  suspected  was  capable  of  proof — that  was  a  question  for  the  viilitary 
tribunals,  not  for  the  ecclesiastical;  and  he  was  answerable  to  the  military 
power — not  in  his  official  capacity  as  a  mitiister  of  Christ  (unless  he  had 
used  his  ofifice  to  the  detriment  of  the  State,  which  is  not  pretended),  but  he 
was  answerable  in  his  civil  capacity  as  a  member  of  the  Commonwealth. 

They  might  ask  the  man  for  his  political  opinions,  and  concerning  his 
civil  derelictions  ;  they  had  no  right  to  ask  the  minister,  unless  it  was  alleged 


284  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

that  he  had  prostituted  his  pulpit  to  the  injury  of  the  State — a  thing  not 
pretended,  much  less  proved.  It  was  Erastianism — Erastianismof  the  direst 
type — the  Erastianism  of  the  sword,  to  punish  the  minister  for  the  imagined 
political  errors  of  the  man  ;  whilst  the  man,  the  citizen,  was  left  to  all  his 
civil  franchises.  Sir,  it  is  amazing  that  logical  minds  can  not,  and  that 
religious  minds  will  not,  see  this  distinction,  so  important  in  its  bearings 
upon  the  question  of  religious  liberty  and  the  rights  of  conscience  !  He 
thanked  God  that  we  had  a  President  at  the  head  of  our  Government  who 
understands  the  principles  of  religious  liberty,  the  rights  of  conscience,  and 
the  relations  between  the  Church  and  State  better  than  some  Doctors  of 
Divinity  with  whom  he  had  conversed  on  this  subject.  The  President  saw 
the  blunder  his  subordinates  had  committed,  and,  with  the  perspicacity  of  a 
clear  head  and  the  candor  of  an  honest  heart,  he  applied  the  remedy.  In 
his  own  pithy  and  pregnant  style  he  tells  his  subordinates  that  he  would  not 
himself  undertake,  nor  would  he  permit  them,  "to  run  the  Churches." 
Would  to  God  the  members  of  this  Assembly,  and  our  preachers  generally, 
would  learn  wisdom  from  that  admirable  letter  of  our  President;  and 
whilst  he  wisely  refrains  Irom  "  running  the  Churches,"  let  the  Church  re- 
frain from  attempts  to  run  the  State.  Pie  deeply  regretted  that  Dr.  Mc- 
Pheeters'  views  of  duty  had  involved  him  in  these  distressing  difficulties. 
But,  Moderator,  mark  these  words :  when  the  history  of  the  struggles  for 
religious  liberty  and  the  rights  of  conscience  in  this  land  is  fairly  written, 
this  suffering  man  will  occupy  a  position  on  the  roll  of  its  honored  cham- 
pions which  the  best  of  us  may  envy  ! 

Now,  the  entire  ecclesiastical  proceedings,  resulting  in  the  substantial 
removal  of  this  confessedly  godly,  gifted  and  faithful  man  from  the  min- 
istry were  based  upon  the  military  infliction  of  an  ecclesiastical  sen- 
tence. Instead  of  defending  this  brother  against  the  oppression  of  the 
hand  of  military  power  by  entreaty,  and  such  influence  as  might  have 
stayed  that  hand,  his  Presbytery  made  that  oppression  a  pretext  for  dis- 
solving his  pastoral  relation.  Without  being  asked  by  either  pastor  or 
people  they  get  up  a  pro-re-nata  meeting,  worry  and  perplex  this  sick, 
nervous  and  persecuted  brother,  till,  in  a  moment  of  almost  despera- 
tion, and  for  fear  of  involving  his  brethren  and  friends,  he  lays  before 
them  a  resignation.  Before  they  act  upon  it  it  is  withdrawn.  Still 
they  worry  him,  till  the  withdrawal  is,  by  a  friend,  withdrawn,  without, 
as  far  as  appears,  the  explicit  consent  of  Dr.  McPheeters;  and  then, 
eleven   to  nine,    they   sunder  the  holiest  of  earthly  ties !     This  friend. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E,    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  285 

it  seems,  had  discretionary  instructions,  and  chose  what  he  supposed 
to  be  the  least  of  the  evils  by  which  the  doctor  was  environed.  Thus  far 
all  had  gone  on  the  supposition  that  he  was  prevented  from  preaching  by 
military  authority.  But  lo !  it  turns  out  that  a  half  year  before  the  Presi- 
dent had  released  him  from  that  disability,  and  that  he  had  been  kept  out 
of  his  pulpit  really  by  the  insubordination  of  the  military  commander  at  St. 
Louis,  who  had  ventured  to  refuse  obedience  to  the  President's  order  to 
suspend  the  sentence,  and  had  retained  the  sentence  in  its  most  offensive 
aspects,  in  contravention  of  the  President's  order.  When  it  is  ascertained 
that  Mr.  Lincoln  had  intended  to  remove  the  prohibition  to  preach,  and  Dr. 
McPheeters  found  himself  at  liberty  to  resume  his  functions  as  a  minister, 
he  did  resume  them,  after  deliberation  and  at  the  request  of  his  Session 
and  the  Church.  Then  the  Presbytery  come  upon  him  again,  at  the  suit 
of  this  Elder,  and  forbid  him  to  preach.  The  plea  is  still  disloyalty; 
although  the  President  had  decided  that  question  and  was  satisfied.  Caesar 
was  satisfied  of  the  man's  loyalty,  and  from  the  highest  chair  of  power  had 
set  him  free ;  but  Mr.  Strong  was  not  satisfied,  and  his  ministerial  brethren 
in  Christ  were  not  satisfied,  and  he  must  be  banished  from  his  pulpit,  from 
the  bosom  of  a  trusting  and  loving  people,  and  "spotted"  and  sick  sent 
forth  a  wanderer — whither  ?  Ah  !  sir.  Dr.  Rice  has  well  said,  that  there 
is  for  him  no  home  on  earth  if  this  General  Assembly  sanctions  such  mon- 
strosities. 

The  Church  had  a  right,  as  they  had  not  been  formally  declared  vacant, 
to  ask  him  to  preach.  The  Presbytery  had  not  silenced  him.  By  preach- 
ing he  violated  no  law  of  the  Church  and  could  not  violate  any  law  of  the 
State.  Why  must  this  Presbytery  pursue  him  still  with  the  action  against 
which  this  complaint  is  now  before  us  ? 

Sir,  what  have  we  lived  to  see  and  hear  ?  What  had  we  witnessed  in 
th^s  sacred  place  and  in  this  venerable  General  Assembly  ?  Discussions 
of  what  ?  Of  the  great  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom  ?  No,  sir ;  but  dis- 
cussions of  State  measures — of  political  questions — compliments  of  one 
General,  and  detractions  from  another ;  and  these  political  harangues  ap- 
plauded to  the  echo  in  the  house  of  God  !  Is  it  seemly,  sir  ?  He  loved  his 
country  dearly — was  an  extremist  in  his  devotion  to  the  maintenance  of  her 
Union  and  her  nationality ;  but  he  loved  Christ's  blood-bought  Church  still 
more  dearly,  and  deplored  to  see  her  courts  converted  into  a  political  arena. 
Can  we  not,  as  men  and  as  citizens,  do  our  duty  lo  our  country,  and  as 
Church-members  and  ministers,  do  our  duty  to  our  Church  ?     Why  join 


286  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

together  what  God  has  placed  asunder  ?  Why  allow  ourselves  to  be  forced 
by  popular  clamor  to  do  things  as  members  of  this  Assembly  that  might 
be  very  proper  for  us  to  do  as  members  of  a  political  convention,  but  which 
are  out  of  place  here  ?  It  requires  moral  courage,  but  we  are  the  men  who 
ought  to  have  it.  Christ  never  decided  questions  of  a  purely  political  char- 
acter, although  often  urged  to  do  it.  When  asked,  is  it  lawful  to  give 
tribute  to  Caesar?  his  answer  was,  "Render  to  Csesar  the  things  that  are 
Caesar's,  and  to  God  the  things  that  are  God's."  But  did  he  go  into  detail, 
and  decide  what  were  the  things  to  be  rendered  to  Csesar  ?  That  was  the 
thing  his  enemies  wanted  him  to  do,  yet  that  was  the  ve^y  thing  that  he 
refused  to  do.  He  repeatedly  declared  that  his  kingdom  is  not  of  this 
world,  else  would  his  servants  fight;  and  when  asked  to  decide  a  question 
of  inheritance,  he  refused  to  do  so — *'  Who  made  me  a  divider  !"  He  stood 
cautiously  aloof  from  local  and  political  questions,  and  contented  himself 
with  laying  down  those  general  principles  which  are  to  control  all  the  issues 
of  life.  We  are  safe  in  imitating  his  example.  The  union  of  the  State  and 
the  Church  has,  in  aU  ages,  under  all  religions  and  forms  of  government, 
and  in  all  lands,  been  the  prolific  fountain  of  the  most  horrible  monstrosi- 
ties known  to  history,  and  our  fathers  wisely  aimed  to  keep  them  distinctly 
separate ;  but  we  are  drifting  rapidly  in  the  direction  of  an  indiscriminate 
mixture  of  things,  sacred  and  secular. 

And,  now,  let  the  verdict  of  this  ecclesiastical  court  be  given 
in  the  Assembly's  own  words : 

DECISION    OF   THE   ASSEMBLY. 

The  Assembly  does  not  sustain  the  complaints,  because  the  proceedings 
in  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis  in  this  case  appear  constitutional  and  regular, 
and,  so  far  as  we  can  perceive,  were  judicious,  equitable,  and  for  the  edifi- 
cation of  the  Church. 

These  complainants,  both  in  their  language  and  the  necessity  of  the  case, 
brought  the  whole  proceedings  under  our  review.  The  question  of  a  disso- 
lution of  the  pastoral  relation  between  Dr.  McPheeters  and  the  Pine  Street 
Church  was  originally  brought  in  an  orderly  manner  before  the  Presbytery 
by  a  petition  from  a  minority  of  said  Church  and  a  personal  tender  of 
resignation  by  the  pastor,  and,  after  all  the  constitutional  steps,  taken  with 
care  and  deliberation,  was  decided  by  the  Presbytery,  acting  for  the  peace 
and  welfare  of  that  Church.     That  which  was  called  an  appeal  and  com- 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  287 

plaint  to  Synod  against  that  action  could  not  so  suspend  all  further  proceed- 
ings as  to  prevent  the  Presbytery  from  considering  and  acting  upon  the 
continued  disturbed  state  of  that  congregation;  and  when  at  a  subsequent 
stated  meeting  of  that  body  this  subject  came  before  them,  they  did  almost 
unanimously  deem  it  unadvisable  that  the  late  pastor  should  continue  min- 
isterial labors  in  that  congregation  against  this  decision  of  the  Presbytery. 

Dr.  McPheeters  and  others  have  uttered  their  complaints,  which  we  do 
not  sustain. 

The  Assembly  has  patiently  listened  to  the  history  of  this  case  from  the 
opposite  points  of  view  taken,  but,  in  their  decision,  have  strictly  confined 
themselves  to  the  facts  on  record.  The  resignation  of  the  pastoral  relation 
and  the  distracted  state  of  the  Chuch  seemed  plainly  to  call  for  the  action 
of  the  Presbytery,  and  being  on  the  ground  and  conversant  with  all  the 
circumstances  and  demands  of  the  case,  they  seem  most  competent  to  under- 
stand and  decide  upon  what  that  action  should  be.  The  question  of  a 
pastor's  loyalty  to  the  national  government,  which  seemed  to  be  so  largely 
a  disturbing  element  in  the  Church,  has  not  been  properly  before  the  As- 
sembly, as  it  was  not  pronounced  upon  in  any  Presbyterial  action.  They 
judged  it  best  for  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  that  particular  Church  that 
the  late  pastor  should  retire  altogether  and  cease  from  his  public  minis- 
trations to  them.  And  this  Assembly  could  not  decide  otherwise.  And 
though  many  members  of  the  Presbytery  were  absent  from  that  meeting 
which  so  decided,  this  could  not  invalidate  their  proceedidgs,  as  it  was  a 
regular  and  careful  meeting  of  that  body.  The  right  and  duty  of  the  Pres- 
bytery to  "  order  whatever  pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  Churches 
under  their  care,"  and  especially  to  heal  dissensions  by  seeking  to  remove 
the  occasion  of  them,  is  a  distinctive  and  important  feature  of  our  Presby- 
terian polity.  And  when  the  pastor  himself  so  far  recognizes  the  propriety 
of  his  withdrawal  as  to  tender  to  the  Presbytery  his  resignation,  it  was 
clearly  competent  for  that  body  not  only  to  grant  his  request,  but  to  order, 
if  necessary,  that  he  cease  his  ministrations  to  that  people,  if  they  believed 
that  by  longer  continuing  to  serve  them  the  dissensions  would  be  promoted, 
the  strife  become  embittered,  and  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  Church  en- 
dangered. And  when  the  Presbytery  did  at  length  so  interfere,  and  direct, 
without  pronouncing  upon  the  rumors  and  side  issues  which  were  the 
occasion  of  the  strife  and  unhappy  condition  of  the  Church,  they  simply 
undertook  to  control  the  relations  of  pastor  and  people  for  the  welfare  of 
the  Church,   without  impeaching  by  expression  the  moral  character  and 


288  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

ministerial  standing  of  that  pastor.  They  only  ordered,  as  a  prudential 
measure,  that  the  resignation,  which  he  voluntarily  tendered  to  them,  ought 
properly  and  entirely  to  be  carried  out,  by  his  ceasing  in  any  way  to  keep 
up  this  unhappy  state  of  things — by  ceasing  to  minister  to  them  as  their 
pastor. 

VOTE. 

To  sustain  the  appeal 47 

To  sustain  in  part 2. 

Not  to  sustain 117 

That  the  decision  of  the  Assembly  against  Dr.  McPheeters^ 
in  the  judgment  of  history,  must  ever  be  pronounced  uncon- 
stitutional, cruel  and  unjust,  v/ill  appear  plain  from  the  follow- 
ing considerations : 

I.  It  is  not  true,  as  alleged,  that  the  "  question  of  a  dissolu- 
tion of  the  pastoral  relation  between  Dr.  McPheeters  and  the 
Pine  Street  Church  was  originally  brought  in  an  orderly  man- 
ner before  the  Presbytery,  by  a  petition  from  a  minority  of 
said  Church  and  a  personal  tender  of  resignation  by  the  pas- 
tor, and,  after  all  the  constitutional  stepts,  taken  with  care  and 
deliberation,  was  decided  by  the  Presbytery,  acting  for  the 
peace  and  the  welfare  of  that  Church." 

The  special  meeting  of  St.  Louis  Presbytery,  called  to  assem- 
ble on  the  15th  of  May,  1863,  "in  order  to  dissolve  the  pas- 
toral relation  between  Dr.  McPheeters  and  the  Pine  Street 
Church,  omitting  even  the  constitutional  condition,  if  the  way- 
be  clear,"  was  not  convened  either  at  the  request  of  the  pas- 
tor or  a  majority  of  his  congregation.  Moreover,  it  was  clearly 
determined  upon,  in  advance  of  all  deliberation,  that  the  pastor 
should  be  expelled.  To  this  end  Presbytery  was  summoned, 
and  at  a  time  of  much  excitement,  growing  out  of  the  Southern 
struggle  for  constitutional  liberty,  and  when  martial  law  was  in 
full  force  and  vigorously  enforced,  and  when  it  was  said  on  the 
street  that  if  Dr.  McPheeters'  friends  attended  Presbytery  they 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  289 

would  be  arrested.  In  consequence  of  this  military  terror  a- 
number  went  home  who  intended  to  participate  in  the  Presby-- 
terial  proceedings,  while  two  ministers  were  actually  seized  and 
thrown  into  prison  because  of  their  known  sympathies  for  Dr. 
McPheeters.  This  Presbytery,  called  at  the  instance  of  seven 
persons,  only  one  of  whom  was  a  member  of  the  Pine  Street 
Church,  convened  on  the  15th  of  May,  and  was  composed  of 
only  sixteen  out  of  nearly  sixty  ministers  and  elders  who  had  a 
right  to  sit. 

Dr.  McPheeters,  "  under  duress,"  and  in  order  to  save  his 
friends,  did  not  ask  for  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation, 
but  "  simply  put  his  resignation  into  the  hands  of  Presbytery." 
Rev.  W.  H.  Park  and  Rev.  A.  D.  Madeira  were  already  in 
jail,  and  the  gentle  pastor  was  horrified  at  the  thought  that 
any  act  of  his  should  add  to  this  number.  Presbytery  met, 
and  "  Pine  Street  Church  and  congregation  were  cited  to 
appear  by  their  commissioners  before  another  Presbytery  to  be 
held  on  June  3d.  In  the  meantime,  Pine  Street  Church  were 
directed  to  meet  and  take  action  in  the  premises.  Accordingly, 
the  Church  did  meet,  and  "  Resolved^  that  this  meeting  do  not 
agree  to  and  protest  against  the  dissolution  of  the  existing 
relation  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  B.  McPheeters  as  pastor  of 
Pine  Street  Church,  and  that  we  request  him  to  withdraw  his 
resignation  offered  to  the  St.  Louis  Presbytery."  The  recorded 
vote  on  this  resolution  shows  91  in  favor  to  56  opposed. 
When  Presbytery  met  on  the  3d  of  June  considerable  doubt 
existed  as  to  the  "  constitutional  right  at  its  present  ses- 
sion to  issue  the  matters  connected  with  Pine  Street  Church." 
Presbytery  accordingly  adjourned,  and  a  call  was  immediately 
issued  for  a  meeting  to  be  held  June  23,  1863.  After  this 
another  meeting  of  Pine  Street  Church  and  congregation  was 
also  held,  called  together  by  order  of  Session  of  said  Church. 

19 


290  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

This  meeting,  by  a  large  majority,  passed  a  resolution  of  pro- 
test against  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation.  Presby- 
tery, according  to  its  own  appointment,  met  on  June  23d,  and 
Dr.  McPheeters,  urged  thereto  by  his  congregation,  asked 
leave  to  withdraw  his  resignation,  offered  under  such  peculiar 
circumstances.  The  request  was  denied,  and  Presbytery  pro- 
ceeded to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation. 

Here,  then,  "  we  have  the  strange  anomaly  of  the  resignation 
by  the  pastor,  of  a  denial  and  rejection  of  the  majority  of  the 
congregation  from  their  right  to  be  heard  why  the  resignation 
should  not  be  accepted,  and  the  reception  and  hearing  of  a 
commissioner  from  the  minority  to  urge  acceptance  of  the  resig- 
nation and  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation ;  and,  strangest 
of  all,  an  entry  on  the  solemn  and  sacred  records  of  Presbytery, 
a  High  Court  of  Jesus  Christ,  "  that  the  request  of  Pine  Street 
Church  be  granted  and  the  pastoral  relation  dissolved,"  w/ien 
no  such  request  had  ever  bee?i  ?nade;  on  the  contrary, a  sole  ffin  protest 
against  it  /  Moreover,  "  Dr.  McPheeters  did  not  have  the  poor 
privilege,  accorded  to  the  meanest  of  criminals,  to  stand  before 
the  bar  which  virtually  tried  and  condemned  him ;  and,  in  the 
adoption  of  the  final  resolution  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation, 
out  of  the  eight  ministers  who  voted  for  it,  but  two  had  a  pas- 
toral charge,  and  only  eleven  ministers  and  Ruling  Elders  in  all, 
out  of  about  sixty  in  full  Presbytery,  sundered  a  relation  which 
had  existed  happily  and  prosperously  for  twelve  years,  and  that, 
too,  without  allowing  either  the  pastor  or  the  commissioners  of 
the  Church  to  be  heard." 

It  is  a  humiHating  thought  to  every  man  who  loves  Presby- 
terianism  that  the  Newark  Assembly,  "  with  the  whole  pro- 
ceedings under  their  review,"  should  have  decided  that  "  the 
question  of  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation  between  Dr. 
McPheeters  and  the  Pine  Street  Church  was  originally  brought 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  291 

in  an  orderly  manner  before  the  Presbytery  by  a  petition  from 
a  minority  of  said  Church  and  a  personal  tender  of  resignation 
by  the  pastor,  and  after  all  the  constitutional  steps,  taken  with 
care  and  deliberation,  was  decided  by  the  Presbytery,  acting 
for  the  peace  and  welfare  of  that  Church."  Well  might  Dr. 
Charles  Hodge  declare,  in  referring  to  the  action  of  this  As- 
sembly, "  there  was  consummated  an  injustice  which  has  few, 
if  any,  parallels  in  the  history  of  our  Church." 

Still  further :  the  General  Assembly  sustained  the  St.  Louis 
Presbytery  in  its  flagrant  disregard  of  that  clause  in  the  Dis- 
cipline which  declares  that  "  the  necessary  operation  of  an 
appeal  is  to  suspend  all  further  proceedings  on  the  ground  of 
the  sentence  appealed  from."  For  the  action  of  Presbytery,  at 
its  meeting  on  the  6th  of  April,  1864,  was  taken  in  the  absence 
of  Dr.  McPheeters,  and  at  a  time  when  a  majority  of  the 
members  of  Presbytery  did  not  and  could  not  attend  on  ac- 
count of  mihtary  orders  in  force,  and  after  an  appeal  before 
Synod  was  docketed  for  hearing.  Nor  can  it  be  pleaded  as 
an  excuse  that  Presbytery  has  at  all  times  a  right  "  to  order 
whatever  pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  Churches  under 
their  care,"  since  all  ecclesiastical  bodies  are  bound  always  to 
be  governed  by  the  special  rules  prescribed  for  their  direction. 
When,  therefore,  the  General  Assembly  declares  the  St.  Louis 
Presbytery  that  committed  these  outrages  to  be  a  "  regular  and 
careful  meeting  of  that  body,"  the  only  care  and  regularity  that 
can  be  detected  by  an  impartial  mind  is  the  arrest  and  the  im- 
prisonment of  Parks  and  Madeira,  whilst  threats  were  held 
over  all  in  case  they  refused  to  expel  Dr.  McPheeters  from  his 
charge. 

In  addition  to  this,  one  is  absolutely  amazed  when  it  is  stated 
in  the  decision  of  the  Assembly  "that  the  question  of  the 
pastor's  loyalty  to  the  National  Government,  which  seemed  to 


292  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

be  SO  largely  a  disturbing  element  in  the  Church,  has  not  been 
properly  before  the  Assembly,  as  it  was  not  pronounced  upon 
in  any  Presbytery."  Drs.  Rice,  Junkin,  Musgrave,  Schenck, 
all  asserted  on  the  floor  of  the  Assembly,  in  Newark,  that 
"  disloyalty"  constituted  the  very  gist  of  the  accusation  against 
McPheeters.  This  one  count  in  the  declaration  was  reiterated 
throughout  every  stage  of  the  prosecution,  ffom  the  lowest 
court  to  the  highest.  The  foulest  tongue  that  ever  whispered 
calumny  never  breathed  an  insinuation  against  the  spotless 
character  of  the  Pine  street  pastor  aside  from  this  oft-repeated 
charge.  Because  Dr.  McPheeters  refused  to  subscribe  to  a 
political  oath  and  in  other  ways  mingle  the  religion  of  Jesus 
Christ  with  the  affairs  of  Caesar  as  a  co?idition  to  membership 
in  a  Presbytery,  his  pastoral  relationship  to  Pine  Street  Church 
was  dissolved  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  Rev.  James  A. 
Paige,  the  Stated  Clerk  and  a  "  loyal  man,"  when  reproached 
for  this  wickedness  replied,  "  We  had  to  do  that,  for  we  felt  we 
were  weak."  And  once  again.  Rev.  S.  J.  P.  Anderson,  D.  D., 
testifies  that  even  the  celebrated  Rosecrans  oath  was  inaugurated 
not  by  the  military,  but  by  the  instigation  of  Church  authorities. 
Dr.  Anderson  says  :  "  It  was  related  to  me  by  a  staff  officer  of 
that  General,  and  I  have  it  also  from  another  prominent  ofifiicer 
in  the  military  service,  and  I  know  the  fact,  that  that  order  was 
issued  under  a  misapprehension;  and  I  know  the  fact  that 
when  it  was  ascertained  in  the  Church  that  that  order  could  be 
used  for  a  purpose  to  be  accomplished  in  the  Church,  that  it 
was  seized  upon  by  certain  individuals ;  that  they  went  to  the 
military  authorities  and  induced  them  to  send  their  officers  to 
the  meetings  of  the  Churches.  And,  sir,  I  will  say  this  :  that 
instead  of  its  having  been  a  fight  with  them,  I  have  always 
received  from  those  gentlemen  when  I  have  been  before  them — 
and,  sir,  I  am  no  stranger  to  any  one  of  them — the  utmost 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  293 

courtesy  and  consideration.  The  trouble  has  not  come  from 
the  authorities — from  the  civil  authorities;  nobody  thought  of 
that,  because  in  every  instance  where  the  civil  authorities  could 
reach  the  case  a  remedy  has  been  promptly  applied.  You 
know  that  and  I  know  it.  3ut  the  trouble  has  been  from  the 
Church ;  those  men  in  it — Ministers  and  Ruling  Elders — who, 
finding  a  military  order  could  be  used  to  accomplish  a  purpose, 
invoked  military  action  as  a  means  of  accomplishing  their  end." 
All  the  foregoing  facts  were  notorious  and  they  have  never 
been  disputed  by  any  one.  The  Newark  Assembly  can  not 
plead -ignorance,  because  they  profess  to  have  listened  patiently 
to  the  history  of  Dr.  McPheeters'  case  "from  the  opposite 
points  of  view  taken,"  and  because  "  the  p>roceedings  of  St. 
Louis  Presbytery  and  the  records  of  the  Missouri  Synod  were 
in  their  hands  for  review  and  approval,  or  for  correction."  The 
Assembly  came  to  the  decision  of  this  case  with  an  open  eye, 
and  when,  therefore,  to  use  the  language  of  Dr.  N.  L.  Rice, 
"  it  sanctioned  such  monstrosities "  it  meant,  in  Dr.  Junkin's 
words,  "to  banish  Dr.  McPheeters  from  the  bosom  of  a  trusting 
and  loving  people,  and,  spotted  and  sick,  send  him  forth  a 
wanderer." 

The  decision  of  the  Assembly  is  rendered,  and  that  "  con- 
fessedly gifted,  godly  and  faithful  man"  prepares  to  depart. 
His  slender  figure  moves  weariedly,  though  with  firm  and  gentle 
step,  down  the  aisle.  Though  aspersed  and  pursued  there 
abides  no  vestige  of  anger,  no  sign  of  outward  despair  on  the 
features,  but  with  the  sweet,  holy  calm  of  a  martyr,  he  walks 
bravely  forward  as  if,  amid  the  furnace  fires,  he  savv"  a  form 
"  like  unto  the  Son  of  God."  And  the  man  that  goes  forth 
there  not  knowing,  as  respects  his  fellow-men,  whither  he  goes, 
"  sick,"  "  sufi"ering,"  "  banished  "  and  "  sent  forth  a  wanderer," 
is  one  who,  when  "  the  history  ot  the  struggles  for  religious 


294  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

liberty  and  the  rights  of  conscience  in  this  land  is  fairly  written, 
will  occupy  a  position  on  the  roll  of  its  honored  champions 
which  the  best  of  us  may  envy." 

Having  entered  his  chamber  and  committed  all  to  the  Mas- 
ter, Dr.  McPheeters  penned  the  following  lines  to  his  wife, 
dated  New  York,  June  4,  1864:  "You  have  seen  what  the 
Assembly  did.  It  was  painful  for  me  to  see  a  court  of  the 
Church  of  Christ  do  as  this  one  has  done.  They  allowed 
political  prejudices  to  come  in  and  determine  their  votes,  and 
they  allowed  Strong  to  attack  me  with  his  usual  weapons  of 
detraction  and  insinuation.  My  dear  wife,  there  is  one  com- 
fort in  all  this — the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  knows  every  thing  about 
this  whole  matter;-  He  knows  my  sins  and  infirmities  and  He 
knows  them  to  be  many  ;  but  He  knows  also  how  much  is  false 
and  wicked  in  the  way  I  have  been  assailed,  and  how  I  have 
been  falsely  charged  and  shamefully  treated.  I  have  tried  to 
keep  a  good  conscience.  I  have  tried  to  do  my  duty.  You 
must  not  be  cast  down.  The  Lord  reigns  and  He  will  bring 
it  out  right.  I  have  met  with  warm  sympathy  here  from  good 
men,  who  in  political  matters  would  be  counted  loyal  by  the 
most  loyal  in  St.  Louis.  They  heard  Strong,  aiid  they  judged 
from  his  own  statements  what  kind  of  a  man  he  was. 

"  My  future  movements  are  uncertain  and  must  be  left  to  the 
development  of  God's  providence.  It  will  depend  on  a  variety 
of  matters,  none  of  which  I  can  now  determine.  I  am  staying 
here  now  to  get  my  speech  printed  in  pamphlet  form,  and  to 
look  around  a  little  and  consult  about  my  future  plans.  Several 
things  open  up  to  me  as  possibilities  by  which  I  can  live  and 
support  my  family,  if  I  should  think  it  best  to  leave  St.  Louis. 
On  one  point  my  mind  is  fixed — to  engage  in  no  calling  of  a 
secular  kind  as  long  as  any  way  is  open  for  me  to  preach  the 
gospel.     But  it  must  be  to  preach  the  gospel — not  war-gospel 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  295 

or  secession  gospel  or  democratic  gospel,  but  Christ's  gospel. 
And  the  day  will  yet  come  when  even  those  who,  in  blindness 
and  excitement,  now  condemn  me  will  know  that  in  all  these 
dark  times  I  have  kept  to  that  and  that  alone 

"  I  am  very  tired  from  the  excitement  I  have  been  in,  but  in 
good  health." 

A  letter  of  sympathy  was  written  by  Dr.  H.  A.  Boardman, 
of  Philadelphia,  on  July  i,  1864: 

I  could  not  immediately  find  time  to  go  over  the  report  of  your  case  as 
presented  in  the  religious  papers.  Nor  have  I  leisure  now  to  comment  on 
the  subject  in  detail.  But  I  cannot  refrain  from  expressing  to  you  my  sense 
of  the  injustice  with  which  you  have  been  treated.  Unwittingly,  as  I  believe, 
our  Assembly  has  succumbed  to  the  passions  of  the  hour  and  rendered  to 
C^sar  the  things  which  are  God's.  The  wrong  done  to  you  is  very  great, 
but  is  small  in  comparison  with  the  injury  inflicted  upon  the  Church. 

IMy  own  convictions  as  to  the  essential  wickedness  of  the  rebellion,  and 
the  duty  of  suppressing  it,  are,  as  they  have  always  been,  very  strong. 
But  the  spiritual  independence  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  of  the  Church  as 
a  whole,  and  of  each  and  every  branch  of  it,  must  be  maintained  at  all 
hazards  and  at  whatever  sacrifice.  The  intolerance  of  the  day  in  striking  at 
yoii  has  aimed  a  deadly  blow  at  this  vital  principle.  I  can  not  and  do  not 
believe  that  our  Church  will  give  her  deliberate  sanction  to  this  procedure. 
For  the  present,  in  common  with  all  the  great  denominations,  her  fasten- 
ings give  way  and  she  drifts  with  the  freshet.  But  I  trust  in  the  love  and 
faithfulness  of  her  Lord  to  bring  her  back  to  her  ancient  moorings. 

Meanwhile,  you  may  assure  yourself  of  the  true  sympathy  of  very  many 
who  love  both  our  Church  and  country.  And,  better  than  this,  you  will  not 
lack  for  the  love  and  tenderness  of  the  Great  Sufferer.  Commending  you  to 
His  care,  I  remain  yours  in  Christian  affection. 

After  the  decision  of  the  Newark  Assembly,  Dr.  McPheeters 
returned  to  St.  Louis.  He  did  not,  however,  remain  inactive, 
but  went  about  preaching  the  Gospel  wherever  opportunity 
offered.  His  words  were,  "  great  is  the  truth,' great  is  patience, 
and  greater  yet  is  God."  This  was  the  sentiment  which  had 
animated  the  preacher's  heart  from  the  very  first  day  Avhen  he 


-296  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

entered  the  sacred  office.  And  it  is  the  principle  by  which  every 
true  minister  of  the  New  Testament  should  ever  be  actuated, 
for  if  the  race  were  always  begun  and  prosecuted  in  this  spirit 
what  untold  perplexity  might  be  happily  escaped.  With  the 
young  clergyman  especially  there  is  great  danger  from  insid- 
ious ambition.  Under  the  pretense  of  more  extended  useful- 
ness the  soul  is  cl^eated.  McPheeters,  in  the  start,  struck  a 
blow  at  this  adversary.  Though  gifted  and  admired,  he 
determines  to  make  full  proof  of  his  ministry  among  the 
neglected  and  poor.  He  did  not  stand  idle  in  the  market 
place  and  refuse  to  enter  the  vineyard  until  persuaded  to  do  so 
by  honor  and  ease.  Just  before  him  were  fields,  lowly,  indeed, 
but  "  already  white  to  harvest."  The  laborer  looked  upon 
these,  and,  sickle  in  hand,  went  forth  to  reap.  Nor  must  it 
be  matter  of  wonder  to  any  that  he  who  submits  to  obscur- 
ity and  hardship  in  the  beginning  is  afterward  advanced  to 
station  and  renown.  For  has  it  not  been  a  custom  from  of 
old  to  invite  the  humble,  but  deserving,  to  positions  more 
distinguished  than  modesty  had  chosen,  while  they  whose 
presumption  sought  out  "  the  chief  rooms "  are  ordered  to 
seats  correspondent  to  their  deserts.  Of  course,  there  is  no 
promise  to  the  most  favored  that  tribulation  shall  not  come, 
for  trials  are  health-giving  and  indispensable.  The  nest  of  the 
eagle  must  be  stirred ;  yet  when  a  cloud,  however  wild,  inter- 
venes between  the  eye  of  faith  and  the  Sun  of  Righteousness, 
this  does  not  betoken  wrath  or  even  disapprobation,  but  from 
that  darkness  which  surrounds  and  overshadows  the  soul  shall 
be  distilled,  in  due  time,  the  pure  and  sweet  waters  of  life.  If 
the  vision  tarry,  the  believer  must  wait  for  it.  In  the  mean- 
time he  can  sing : 

Though  dark  be  my  way,  since  He  is  my  guide, 
'Tis  mine  to  obey,  'tis  His  to  provide. 
Though  cisterns  be  broken,  and  creatures  all  fail, 
The  word  He  has  spoken  shall  surely  prevail. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  297 

Dr.  McPheeters  was  persecuted,  and  even  betrayed,  by  his 
professed  friends,  yet,  because  he  trusted  in  Jehovah  and 
stayed  his  mind  on  Him,  his  soul  was  kept  in  perfect  peace. 
This  man's  Hfe,  and  what  God  wrought  through  His  servant, 
speaks  to  the  whole  Church,  but  especially  to  young  brethren 
in  the  ministry,  saying :  "  Be  careful  for  nothing,  but  in  every 
thing  by  prayer  and  supplication  with  thanksgiving  let  your 
requests  be  made  known  unto  God."  Wait  not  to  be  appareled 
in  soft  garments,  to  live  delicately  in  king's  courts,  "  but  in  the 
morning  sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening  w^ithhold  not  thine 
hand,  and  whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy 
might."  Nor  need  one  fear,  if  honest,  to  go  forth  at  the 
charges  of  the  Almighty,  for  the  soul  that  ventures  itself  fairly 
and  fully  upon  Him  shall  never  be  forsaken  nor  confounded. 
What  the  Church  needs  at  the  present  moment  is  not  simply 
an  increase  in  the  number  of  her  ministers,  but  laborers  of  that 
lofty  and  devoted  type  that  are  willing  to  imitate  the  spirit  of 
the  Apostle,  who  '' strived  to  preach  the  Gospel,  not  where 
Christ  was  named,  lest  he  should  build  upon  another  man's 
foundation,  but  as  it  is  written,  to  whom  He  was  not  spoken 
they  shall  see,  and  they  that  have  not  heard  shall  understand." 

Dr.  McPheeters  wrote  to  his  wife  from  New  York :  "  My 
future  movements  must  be  left  to  the  development  of  God's 
providence.  On  one  point  my  mind  is  fixed,  to  engage  in  no 
calling  of  a  secular  kind  as  long  as  any  way  is  open  for  me  to 
preach  the  Gospel."  Such  a  faith  and  purpose  were  not  long 
disappointed  or  long  kept  in  suspense. 

In  the  spring  of  1865  Dr.  McPheeters  removed  to  Mulberry 
Church,  Shelby  county,  Kentucky.  Dr.  S.  R.  W^ilson,  the  for- 
mer pastor  of  this  congregation,  having  accepted  a  call  to  the 
First  Church,  Louisville,  remarks :  "  It  was  a  relief  and  a 
pleasure  to  resign  my  flock  into  the  hands  of  one  so  eminently 


298  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

fitted  for  the  post,  especially  at  that  crisis  in  the  affairs  of  the 
Church  in  Kentucky.  When  the  revolutionary  acts  of  the 
General  Assembly  forced  upon  the  true  sons  of  the  Church  the 
necessity  of  endeavoring  to  recall  her  members  to  her  standards, 
the  counsel  and  co-operation  of  Dr.  McPheeters  were  given 
with  a  most  hearty  good  will  and  unwavering  firmness.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  to  put  his  signature  to  the  Declaration  and 
Testimony,  and  would  at  any  time  have  sealed  that  testimony 
with  his  blood  had  God  seen  fit  to  permit  the  enemies  of  the 
truth  to  use  at  will  the  civil  sword  as  they  had  the  ecclesiastical. 
We  have  often,  in  conversation,  gone  over  the  whole  ground  of 
that  protest,  and  always  did  he  seem  to  come  to  a  stronger  con- 
viction of  its  necessity,  and  mournfully  would  he  speak  of  the 
ominous  persistence  of  the  great  body  of  the  ministry  in  adhering 
to  so  open  and  manifest  apostasy  from  the  vital  principles  of 
the  Word  of  God  and  the  Constitution  of  the  Church." 

On  the  other  hand,  Dr.  McPheeters  observed  frequently  that 
it  was  a  notable  Providence  which  brought  him  weary  and  sick 
to  this  quiet  country  home,  when  the  bold-hearted  Wilson, 
endued  with  strength,  had  just  been  summoned  to  a  central 
and  prominent  position,  where  the  assaults  upon  truth  could  be 
more  effectually  resisted. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 


299 


CHAPTER    XYI. 

PITTSBURG   ASSEMBLY DECLARATION    AND    TESTIMONY. 

In  May,  1865,  the  Assembly  met  in  Pittsburg.  The  South 
had  been  conquered.  The  whole  country  lay  helpless  at  the 
feet  of  a  victorious  army.  Scarcely  an  individual,  from  the 
Potomac  to  the  Gulf,  could  be  found  who  did  not,  in  some 
form,  suffer.  On  account  of  hunger,  nakedness  and  frightful 
poverty,  "  no  heart  was  left  in  the  people."  "  In  that  day 
there  was  great  mourning;  all  the  families  that  remained 
mourned  apart."  The  writer  speaks  from  personal  knowledge 
and  experience.  It  was  in  this  great  crisis  of  history  that  a 
Court  of  the  Lord  Jesus  came  together  at  Pittsburg.  Never  in 
the  history  of  Presbyterianism — seldom,  if  ever,  in  the  history 
of  the  whole  Church — has  there  been  presented  an  opportunity 
so  grand  for  the  exercise  of  genuine  Christian  heroism.  The 
Church  at  the  South,  "  stripped  of  her  raiment,  and  wounded, 
and  half  dead,  appealed  mutely  to  the  passer-by  that  he  would 
bind  up  her  wounds,  pour  in  oil  and  wine,  set  her  on  his  own 
beast,  bring  her  to  an  inn  and  take  care  of  her."  In  this  dread- 
ful moment  mankind,  humanity  itself,  expected  the  Assembly 
of  the  North  to  be  gentle,  magnanimous,  just.  And  if,  in  that 
hour,  the  Pittsburg  Court  had  risen  to  the  hight  of  the  great 
argument,  the  records  of  Presbyterianism  in  this  land  might 
have  been  forever  changed,  But  alas,  alas,  alas  !  the  paper  on 
the  state  of  the  country  this  year  expatiates  upon  "  the  inex- 
tinguishable love  for  our  national  Union  with  which  the  hearts 
of  the  loyal  people  were  filled;"  upon  ''the  mighty  host  of 


300  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

valiant  men  who  were  ready  to  give  their  lives  in  defense  of 
our  National  Government ;  "  upon  the  "  various  departments 
of  that  Government  which  equipped  and  maintained  our  vast 
army  and  navy ;  "  upon  the  "  leaders,  of  wisdom,  courage  and 
skill,  suited  for  every  emergency ;  "  upon  the  "  unwonted  ben- 
evolence which  promoted  the  physical  comfort  and  spiritual 
welfare  of  our  soldiers  and  sailors."  It  canonizes  Mr.  Lincoln, 
but  "  rejoices  that  he  was  permitted  to  see  the  power  of  the  re- 
bellion crushed,  its  strongholds  repossessed,  its  conquered  armies 
forced  to  surrender,  the  national  honor,  untarnished  by  acts  of 
barbarism  or  cruelty,  vindicated ;  "  "  the  integrity  of  the  Union 
preserved,  the  scheme  of  emancipation,  which  he  had  the 
wisdom  to  devise  and  the  courage  to  execute,  made  effective  to 
the  deliverance  from  bondage  of  four  milHons  of  slaves." 

So  much  for  President  Lincoln,  war,  politics  and  the  recently 
liberated  negro.  But  when  Rev.  R.  P.  Farris,  D.  D.,  of  St. 
Charles,  Mo.,  came  before  the  Assembly  to  claim  redress  for 
grievous  outrages  inflicted  by  Gen.  Rosecrans  and  the  Missouri 
Synod,  the  judicatory  were  in  no  humor  to  entertain  the  com- 
plaint, but  thought  "  great  allowance  should  be  made."  Dr.  S. 
R.  Wilson  and  others  protested,  but  the  Assembly  replied  that 
they  "  were  not  called  uj^on  to  decide  anything  in  regard  to  the 
propriety  or  impropriety  of  the  military  order  referred  to  in  the 
protest."  Caesar  framed  an  oath,  and  held  for  a  criminal  every 
ambassador  of  "  King  Jesus "  who  refused  to  take  it  as  an 
indispensable  qiialificatioii  to  a  seat  in  Christ's  Court.  If  any 
drew  back  for  conscience  sake,  the  doors  of  Presbytery  and 
Synod  were  barred.  The  Northern  Assembly  winked  at  this 
great  wrong  and  said,  "  great  allowance  should  be  made."  The 
oath  was  as  follows : 

( of County,   State ,  do  hereby  solemnly  swear  that  I  will 

bear  true  allegiance  to  the  United  States  and  support  and  sustain  the  Con- 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  30I 

stitution  and  laws  thereof ;  that  I  will  maintam  the  National  Sovereignty  para- 
mount to  that  of  all  State,  County  or  Confederate  powers  ;  that  I  will  dis- 
countenance, discourage  and  forever  oppose  secession,  rebellion,  and  the 
disintegration  of  the  Federal  Union ;  that  I  disclaim  and  denounce  all  faith 
and  fellowship  with  the  so-called  Confederate  armies,  and  pledge  my  honor, 
my  property,  and  my  life,  to  the  sacred  performance  of  this  my  solemn  oath 
of  allegiance  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States  of  America). 

"  Christian  men,  who  loved  the  truth,  were  now  aghast  at  the 
peril  which  confronted  the  Church  of  God.  They  had  mourned 
in  secret  over  her  sad  declension,  cherishing,  perhaps,  the  hope, 
that  when  the  extraordinary  pressure  of  the  war  should  cease, 
then  the  Church  would  return,  under  the  instincts  of  piety,  to 
the  old  paths  in  which  she  had  been  accustomed  to  walk. 
What  was  their  dismay  when,  in  the  first  hour  of  peace,  these 
aberrations  were  not  only  endorsed,  but  fastened  upon  the 
Church  as  the  fixed  policy  to  which  her  future  legislation  must 
be  rigidly  conformed.  The  exigency  of  the  hour  called  for 
measures  of  unusual  vigor,  if  the  Church  was  to  be  plucked 
from  the  abyss  into  which  she  had  already  plunged.  A  solemn 
Declaration  and  Testimony  was  accordingly  drawn  up,  by  Rev. 
Samuel  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  against  the  entire  political  action  of 
the  five  Assemblies,  from  1861  to  1865,  inclusive.  This  Dec- 
laration was  numerously  signed,  particularly  in  the  Synods  of 
Kentucky  and  Missouri,  and  was  largely  circulated  through  the 
bounds  of  the  Old  School  Church  of  the  North.  It  was  also 
formerly  adopted  by  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville,  on  the  2d  of 
September,  1865,  and  became  a  solemn  covenant  by  which  all 
the  signers  pledged  themselves  to  each  other  to  "  use  their  best 
endeavors  to  bring  back  the  Church  of  their  fathers  to  her 
ancient  purity  and  integrity,  and,  if  finally  compelled  to  with- 
draw from  those  who  have  departed  from  the  truth,  to  go  bear- 
ing with  them  the  true  Presbyterian  Church,  with  her  doctrine, 
order,  worship  and  freedom,  as  they  have  been  given  her  by 


302  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'PHEETERS,.    D.  D. 

her  Divine  Head  and  transmitted,  from  generation  to  genera- 
tion, by  the  hands  of  saints,  confessors  and  martyrs." 

As  late  as  1862  a  Presbyter  could  quietly  dissent  from  the 
acts  of  the  Assembly  and  yet  be  allowed  to  pursue  his  minis- 
terial avocations,  free  from  interruption  and  intolerant  perse- 
cution. He  was  not  required,  under  penalty  of  arrest  and  ex- 
communication, to  accept  the  doctrines  of  "freedom  and 
loyalty"  and  to  lend  himself  to  the  execution  of  ecclesiastical 
devices,  which  judgment,  unbiased  by  fanatical  zeal,  could  not 
honestly  approve.  While  matters  remained  in  this  position. 
Dr.  McPheeters  (and  many  others  adopted  the  sentiment)  said, 
in  the  Assembly  that  met  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  "  the  Church,  as 
such,  owes  its  allegiance  only  to  Jesus  Christ.  His  kingdom  is 
the  only  kingdom  she  is  bound  to  uphold.  His  Word  is  the 
only  Constitution  that  she  recognizes  as  authoritative  or  is  at 
liberty  to  interpret.  The  Constitution  ot  the  State  binds  the 
citizen.  The  citizen  by  becoming  a  Christian  comes  into  no 
new  relations  to  the  State.  If  you  shall  pass  this  paper  I  shall 
stand  in  my  lot  and  do  my  duty.  Your  doing  what  I  believe 
to  be  wrong  will  not  justify  me  in  doing  wrong.  For  one,  I 
have  already  stood  for  a  year  under  a  deliverance  which,  in  my 
conscience,  I  believe  to  be  ecclesiastically  wrong.  If  you  pass 
this  paper  I  will  try  to  make  the  best  of  it.  So  long  as  you 
do  not  require  me  to  do  or  say  anything  which,  in  the  sight  of 
God,  I  believe  to  be  wrong,  and  do  not  hinder  doing  or  saying 
anything  I  beheve  to  be  right,  as  I  do  not  think  you  intend 
to  do  such  a  thing,  I  expect  to  remain  true  to  all  my  duties  to 
the  Church." 

These  words  were  uttered  in  1862  ;  but  in  1865  the  aspect  of 
affairs  had  changed.  In  the  meantime  the  Assembly  had  taken 
wonderful  strides.  Every  minister  was  now  required  not  only 
to  accept   the  offensive  and  unscriptural  deliverance,  but  to 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  303 

co-operate  actively  in  the  execution  of  every  doctrinal  and 
ecclesiastical  decree.  No  option  remained.  One  must  either 
go  forward  with  the  multitude  or  else,  pausing  at  the  voice  of 
conscience,  protest  before  the  world,  while  the  issues  of  the 
conflict  were  confided  to  that  God  whose  judgments  are  impar- 
tial and  whose  purposes  shall  stand.  And,  still  further,  let  it  be 
remembered  that  Dr.  Wilson,  the  author  of  the  Declaration 
and  Testimony,  was  neither  a  Southerner  by  birth  nor  a  Seces- 
sionist in  sentiment.  His  home  was  in  the  North,  and  his 
loyalty  to  the  Government  never,  any  where,  came  into  ques- 
tion. He  regarded  with  sorrow  the  disruption  of  the  Union, 
and  with  no  ordinary  desire  longed  and  prayed  for  the  integrity 
of  that  Church  under  whose  sheltering  wing  he  and  his  fathers 
before  him  had  dwelt  in  such  comfort.  If  history,  therefore, 
at  this  point  is  properly  considered,  it  will  be  clearly  perceived 
that  neither  the  author  of  the  Declaration  and  Testimony  nor 
those  who  sympathized  with  his  views  were  peace-breakers  or 
schismatics ;  but,  impelled  by  the  irresistible  logic  of  conscience, 
they  sought  not  simply  "  to  render  unto  Csesar  the  things  that 
are  Caesar's,  but  also  unto  God  the  things  which  are  God's." 

Dr.  McPheeters  not  only  signed  the  "  Declaration  and 
Testimony,"  but  wrote  to  Dr.  Wilson :  "  I  regard  the  paper, 
as  a  whole,  as  a  most  able  and  masterly  document — one  that, 
without  flattery,  I  think  will  rank  among  the  papers  which  will 
make  a  name  and  place  in  history.  I  could  easily  fill  a  sheet 
with  what  I  conceive  to  be  its  excellencies — vigorous,  manly, 
true,  and  the  utterances  of  a  soul  fully  alive  to  the  great  princi- 
ples involved,  it  will  strike  a  chord  in  every  heart  that  feels  as 
we  do  for  the  desolations  of  our  Zion." 

Drs.  Wilson,  Robinson  and  McPheeters  labored  shoulder  to 
shoulder  to  preserve  Presbyterianism  in  its  purity  as  it  came 
down  to  the  people  from  the  fathers.     These  three,  and  others 


304  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

of  like  mind,  feeling  that  a  necessity  was  laid  upon  them  and 
a  dispensation  committed  unto  them,  defended,  in  troublous 
times,  those  principles  which  are  vitally  essential  to  the  inde- 
pendence and  spirituality  of  that  "  Church  of  God  which  is 
the  pillar  and  ground  of  the  truth."  The  doctrines  for  which 
these  men  contended  are  embodied  in  a  "  Declaration  and 
Testimony "  drawn  by  Rev.  S.  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  and 
numerously  signed  by  Ministers  and  Elders  in  the  Synods  of 
Kentucky  and  Missouri.     The  document  is  here  given : 

To  the  Ministers,  Riditig  Elders  and  Members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 

in  the  United  States,  Greeting: 
**  Grace  be  unto  you,  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  from: 

THE  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

Beloved  Brethren  :  The  occasion  upon  which  we  address  you  is  one 
of  no  ordinary  interest  to  the  Church  of  our  Lord  Jesus.  For  several  years 
past  that  Church  in  this  country  has  been  departing  farther  and  farther  from 
both  the  spirit  and  the  plain  letter  of  her  commission  to  "preach  the  Gospel 
to  every  creature"  and  her  charter  as  a  "kingdom  not  of  this  world." 
The  Presbyterian  branch  of  the  Church — that  which  we  stand  immediately 
connected  with — ^for  which  our  fathers  labored,  suffered  and  prayed,  and 
whose  doctrine  and  order  we  have  loved  above  all  things  else  on  earth, 
sadly  disappointing  our  most  sanguine  hopes,  and  recreant  to  her  principles 
and  ancient  testimonies,  has  essayed  to  take  the  lead  in  this  grievous 
departure  from  the  faith  and  practice  enjoined  by  her  King  and  Head  and 
solemnly  professed  in  her  confession  and  catechisms  and  symbols.  Step 
by  step  she  has  gone  away  from  the  old  paths,  despite  every  warning  and 
entreaty  addressed  to  her  by  those  who  have  still  remained  faithful,  until 
we  have  reason  to  fear  it  will  be  in  vain  to  attempt  to  bring  her  back  again 
to  the  way  of  truth  from  which  she  has  departed.  From  year  to  year,  as 
the  General  Assembly  has  come  together,  we  have  cherished  still  the  hope 
that  it  would  reconsider  those  acts  which  have  been  the  occasion  of  distrust 
and  alarm,  and  recalling  the  Church  to  the  true  spiritual  and  divine  nature 
of  her  calling  and  work,  would  restore  the  ancient  landmarks  and  thus 
re-assure  the  hearts  of  those  who  have  trembled  for  the  safety  of  the  Ark 
of  God.  But  these  hopes  have  again  and  again  been  doomed  to  disappoint- 
ment, until,  by  the  decisions  of  the  Supreme  Judicatory  of  the  Church,  at 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  305 

its  recent  meeting  in  Pittsburg,  the  consummation  seems  to  have  been- 
reached,  and  the  seal  finally  set  upon  all  previous  unconstitutional  and> 
unscriptural  acts  of  the  body,  and  the  full  purpose  declared  to  compel  our 
ministers,  elders  and  members  to  approve  of  those  acts  under  pain  of 
exclusion  from  the  communion  and  fellowship  of  the  Church. 

Such  is  the  crisis  vrhich  is  now  upon  us  and  which  we  are  compelled  to 
meet.  There  is  left  to  us  no  alternative ;  if  we  would  not  prove  ourselves 
unworthy  of  the  trust  which  has  been  committed  to  our  hands  by  our 
Divine  Master,  handed  down  from  our  fathers,  baptized  with  their  tears  and 
prayers  and  blood.  Fidelity  in  our  lot  requires  that  we  should  give  utter- 
ance to  no  equivocal  testimony  and  hesitate  in  no  uncertain  posture  at  such 
a  moment.  To  remain  silent  or  stand  inactive  must  alike  be  fatal  to  our- 
selves and  to  the  Church.  To  suffer  ourselves  to  be  cajoled  by  "good 
words  and  fair  speeches,"  or  intimidated  by  threats  into  acquiescence  in,  or 
a  feeble,  compromising  opposition  to,  the  unscriptural  doctrines  and  uncon- 
stitutional measures  now  maintained  in  the  Church,  will  most  assuredly 
make  us  partakers  in  the  sin  of  those  who  have  corrupted  and  betrayed  her. 
It  is,  therefore,  under  a  deep  conviction  of  the  imperative  call  made  upon 
us  to  bear  a  clear  and  unequivocal  testimony  against  this  departure  of  the 
Church  from  her  ancient  faith  and  order  that  we  have  drawn  up  and  do  now 
publish  to  the  word  this  solemn  Declaration  and  Testimony,  that  so  we  may 
acquit  ourselves  of  all  complicity  with  that  subversion  of  the  Law  of  Christ's 
Kingdom  and  surrender  of  the  crown  rights  of  Zion's  King  on  account  of 
which  the  name  and  honor  of  our  Lord  are  this  day  every  where  blasphemed. 
If  we  can  do  nothing  more  than  clear  ourselves  from  the  guilt  of  so  great 
a  crime,  we  shall  have  thereby  secured  ourselves  from  a  participation  in  its 
punishment.  Yet,  by  the  blessing  of  God  upon  our  efforts  in  this  behalf, 
we  shall  not  despair  of  so  rallying  the  faithful  friends  of  a  pure  and  free 
Church  around  the  banner  which  God  has  given  us  "to  be  displayed 
because  of  the  truth  "  as  to  be  able  to  defeat  in  great  measure  the  schemes 
of  those  who  seem  by  their  acts  to  be  saying,  concerning  the  beautiful  and 
holy  temple  of  our  fathers,  "Rase  it,  rase  it,  even  to  the  foundation 
thereof." 

THE    ERRORS   AGAINST  WHICH   WE   TESTIFY. 

In  the  name,  therefore,  of  the  living  God,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  we 
do  solemnly  testify : 

I.  Against  the  assumption  on  the  part  of  the  Courts  of  the  Church  of  the 
20 


306  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

right  to  decide  questions  of  State  policy.  This  right  has  been  assumed  by 
all  the  courts  of  the  Church.  But  we  shall  here  only  speak  particularly  of 
what  has  been  done  by  our  court  of  highest  judicature.  That  the  General 
Assembly  has  claimed  and  exercised  this  right  of  jurisdiction  over  questions 
of  State  policy  for  the  past  five  years,  and  that  to  the  fullest  extent,  certainly 
no  one  at  all  acquainted  with  the  acts  of  that  body  can  deny.  We  cite  in 
proof  only  the  so-called  "Spring  Resolutions"  of  '6i ;  the  papers  on  the 
state  of  the  country  in  '62  and  '63;  the  act  on  the  subject  of  slavery  in  '64, 
and  the  ordinances  on  "loyalty"  and  "the  Southern  Churches "  in '65. 
The  discussion  of  these  several  acts  occupied  a  very  large  part  of  the  time 
and  absorbed  nearly  the  whole  attention  of  the  respective  Assemblies  by 
which  they  were  passed.  In  all  of  them  the  substantial  questions  at  issue, 
and  about  which  the  Assembly  gave  its  decision,  were  questions  touching 
the  policy  of  the  State  in  regard  to  its  citizens  and  the  duty  of  the  citizens 
in  respect  to  the  policy  of  the  State.  Concerning  the  first  of  these  acts, 
namely,  that  entitled  the  "  Spring  Resolutions,"  the  following  judgment 
was  expressed  in  a  protest  against  the  passage  of  those  resolutions,  drawn 
up  by  Rev.  Dr.  Hodge  and  signed  by  about  sixty  others.  Let  their  lan- 
guage be  attended  to :  "  That  the  paper  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly 
does  decide  the  political  question  just  stated  (viz. :  '  To  what  government 
the  allegiance  of  Presbyterians  as  citizens  is  due')  is,  in  ourjzidgtnent,  unde- 
niable. It  asserts  not  only  the  loyalty  of  this  body  to  the  Constitution  and 
the  Union,  but  it  promises,  in  the  name  of  all  the  Churches  and  ministers 
whom  it  represents,  to  do  all  that  in  them  lies  to  strengthen,  uphold  and 
encourage  the  Federal  Government.  It  is,  however,  a  notorious  fact  that 
many  of  our  ministers  and  members  conscientiously  believe  that  the  alle- 
giance of  the  citizens  of  this  country  is  primarily  due  to  the  States  to  which 
they  respectively  belong,  and,  therefore,  that  when  a  State  renounces  its 
connection  with  the  United  States  and  its  allegiance  to  the  Constitution  the 
citizens  of  that  State  are  bound  by  the  laws  of  God  to  continue  loyal  to  their 
State  and  obedient  to  its  laws.  The  paper  adopted  by  the  Assembly  virtually 
declares,  on  the  other  hand,  that  the  allegiance  of  the  citizen  is  due  to  the 
United  States,  anything  in  the  Constitution,  ordinances  or  laws  of  the  sev- 
eral States  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  ...  In  adopting  this 
paper,  therefore,  the  Assembly  does  decide  the  great  political  question  which 
agitates  and  divides  the  country.  .  .  .  It  is  not  a  question  which 
this  Assembly  has  a  right  to  decide  J''' 

"A  man  may  conscientiously  believe  that  he  owes  allegiance  to  one  Gov- 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  307 

eminent  or  another,  and  yet  possess  all  the  qualifications  ^vhich  the  Word  of 
God  or  the  standards  of  the  Church  authorizes  us  to  demand  in  our  members 
or  ministers." 

"It  is  the  allegiance  of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church  to  the  Con- 
stitution, the  Union  and  the  Federal  Government  which  tliis  paper  is 
intended  to  profess  and  proclaim.  It  does,  therefore,  of  necessity  decide 
the  political  questions  which  agitate  the  country.  It  pronounces  or  assumes 
a  particular  interpretation  of  the  Constitution.  This  is  a  ??iatter  cleaTly 
beyond  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Assembly. 

"That  the  action  of  the  Assembly  in  the  premises  does  not  only  decide  the 
political  question  referred  to,  but  makes  that  decision  a  test  of  membership 
in  our  Church,  is  no  less  clear." 

"The  General  Assembly,  in  thus  deciding  a  pohtical  question,  and  in 
making  that  decision  practically  a  condition  of  membership  in  the  Church, 
has,  in  our  judgment,  violated  the  Constitution  of  the  Church  and  usto'ped 
the  prerogatives  of  its  Divine  Master."— [Wirmies  1 86 1,  pp.  339,  340.] 

In  answering  this  protest  the  Assembly  does  not  deny,  but  admits,  the 
allegations  contained  in  it,  and  argues  in  defense  of  the  i-ight  of  the  Assem- 
bly to  make  the  decisions  objected  to.  The  action  of  subsequent  Assem- 
blies has  still  further  asserted  and  exercised  this  usurped  power,  until  the 
highest  Court  of  the  Church,  once  so  venerated  for  its  apostolic  character, 
has  become  transformed,  in  the  eye  of  the  world,  into  a  pohtical  convention, 
the  chief  occupation  of  which  is  to  debate  and  determine  matters  of  a  par- 
tisan political  character,  and  to  anathematize  all  who  claim  the  right  of  pri- 
vate judgment  on  such  matters. 

II.  We  testify  against  the  doctrine  that  the  Church,  as  such,  owes  alle- 
giance to  human  rulers  or  governments.  Allegiance  or  loyalty,  in  respect  to 
human  governments,  is  alone  predicable  oi persons  as  citizens.  The  Church 
owes  her  allegiance  alone  to  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  sole  King  in  Zion.  To  no 
earthly  power  can  she  yield  submission  without  being  unfaithful  to  her  Lord 
and  Husband,  and  being  guilty  of  that  spiritual  harlotry  on  account  of  which 
the  most  fearful  plagues  are  denounced  against  her  in  the  Prophets. 

III.  We  testify  against  the  sanction  given  by  the  Church  to  the  perversion 
of  the  teachings  of  Christ  and  His  Apostles  upon  the  subject  of  the  duty  of 
Christians,  as  citizens,  to  ^ ^ render  tcnto  Ccesar  the  things  that  are  Caesar's," 
and  to  ^^  be  subject  unto  the  higher  powers."  These  and  similar  scriptures 
are  cited  to  sustain  the  claim  of  the  Assembly  and  other  Church  Courts  to 
decide  upon  pohtical  questions ;  to  prove  that  the  allegiance  of  a  Christian, 


3o8  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

as  such,  is  due  to  a  particular  government;  to  warrant  the  exclusion  of  a 
minister  from  his  office,  or  a  member  from  his  Church  privileges,  because  he 
does  not  believe  his  allegiance  is  due  to  this  or  that  particular  administration, 
or  that  he  is  bound  to  obey  every  decree  or  law  of  the  government  under 
which  he  may  chance  to  live ;  and  to  bind  the  citizen,  as  a  Christian,  by  the 
law  of  Christ,  ^^  to  tiphold^  strengthen  and  encourage  a.  particular  form  of 
government,  or  a  present  administration  of  that  government,  or  the  acting 
ruler  by  whom  it  may  chance  to  be  administered,  in  antagonism  to  other 
existing  governments  or  rulers,  as  though  the  one  were  of  Divine  right 
rather  than  the  others;  and  as  if  such  particular  government  or  adminis- 
tration or  ruler  were  so  "the  ordinance  of  God"  and  ''ordained"  of  Him 
as  to  make  it,  for  that  reason,  obligatory  upon  the  Christian,  as  such,  **as 
far  as  in  him  lies,  to  promote  and  perpetuate  "  its  existence  and  power,  and 
to  sustain  and  pray  for  the  success  of  whatever  measures  it  may  see  fit  from 
time  to  time  to  adopt  for  the  accomplishment  of  its  particular  ends,  or  to  give 
effect  to  its  peculiar  schemes  at  home  or  abroad.  We  deny  that  these  Scrip- 
tures or  any  others,  when  fairly  interpreted,  give  any  sanction  to  the  doc- 
trines just  stated.  These  doctrines  are  contrary  to  the  teachings  of  the 
Word  of  God,  and  are  virtually  the  doctrines  of  despotism  and  unquestion- 
ing, unconditional  submission  and  obedience  to  the  commands  of  any  actual 
ruler,  no  matter  what  those  commands  may  be.  This  is  to  make  Chris- 
tianity the  tool  of  tyrants  and  its  teachings  the  bulwark  of  unlimited  arbi- 
trary power. 

IV.  We  testify  against  the  action  of  the  Assembly  on  the  subject  of  slavery 
and  emancipation  in  1864,  and  as  cofijirmed  in  1865.  In  that  action  the 
Assembly  has  laid  itself  justly  liable  to  the  charge  of  disingenuousness,  in 
that  it  does  not  quote  fairly  from  former  utterances  upon  the  same  subject. 
It  omits  altogether  all  reference  to  the  uniform  and  most  important  declara- 
tion contained  in  its  previous  expressions  of  opinion,  that  itnmediate,  indis- 
criminate e77iancipatio7i  of  the  negro  slaves  amongst  us  tuould  be  tmj list  and 
injurious  to  both  master  and  slave.  And  then  it  leaves  entirely  unnoticed 
the  act  of  1845  and  treats  it  as  a  nullity,  although  precisely  the  one  only  act 
ever  passed  by  an  Assembly  which  is  sustained  and  enforced  by  an  appeal 
to  the  only  authority  which  the  Church  has  any  right  to  appeal  for  the  sup- 
port and  sanction  of  her  decisions,  to-wit :  the  Word  of  God.  And  then, 
upon  this  basis  of  suppression  and  perversion,  there  is  laid  down  a  new  doc- 
trine upon  this  subject  of  slavery  unknown  to  the  apostolic  and  primitive 
Church;  a  doctrine  which  has  its  origin  in  infidelity  and  fanaticism;  a  doc- 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  309 

trine  which  the  Presbyterian  Church  had  before  uniformly  treated  as  a  dan- 
gerous error,  and  which  the  General  Assembly  of  1845  solemnly  declared 
they  could  not  sanction  ^^  ivithmit  cojitradictmg  some  of  the plaiticst declay-a- 
tions  of  the  Word  of  God,^^  and  "  charging  the  Apostles  of  Christ  with  con- 
niving at  sin,  introducing  into  the  Church  such  sinners,  and  thus  bringing 
upon  them  the  curse  of  the  Almighty. "  And,  further,  that  Assembly  declared 
that,  should  they  affirm  the  doctrine  which  the  Assembly  in  1864  did  affirm,  it 
would  be  ''to  dissolve  itself  ^^  and  "abandon  the  organization  imder  which, 
by  the  Divine  blessing,  it  has  so  long  prospered.''''  Nor  has  the  Assembly 
been  content  with  merely  affirming  these  new  doctrines  upon  slavery  and 
emancipation,  but  has  required  a  co7-dial  belief  and  approbation  of  them  as 
a  condition  of  membership  to  the  Church  and  of  the  exercise  of  their  official 
functions  to  the  ministry.     (Acts  of  the  Assembly  of  1865,  passim.) 

V.  We  testify  against  the  tinjust  and  scandalous  co?itradiction  of  their 
own  recorded  testimony  and  the  well  known  facts  in  regard  to  the  labors  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  and  xmmsiry  for  the  Christianizitig  of  the  slaves 
of  the  So2tth  and  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  On  this  subject 
the  Assembly  of  1847  speaks  thus  :  "In  reviewing  the  past,  we  find  that 
notice  has  been  taken  by  several  previous  Assemblies  of  the  interest  mani- 
fested in  the  religious  instruction  of  the  colored  population  of  our  country. 
The  reports  received  this  year  justify  the  belief  that  this  interest  has  greatly 
increased  since  the  meeting  of  the  last  Assembly.  Almost  all  the  Presby- 
teries covering  the  ground  where  this  portion  of  our  population  are  found 
in  the  greatest  numbers  refer  to  the  subject,  and  speak  of  efforts  to  supply 
them  with  the  means  of  grace,  as  being  decidedly  on  the  advance." — [Min. 
1847,  pages  403,  408.]  Again,  in  1854,  this  testimony  is  borne  by  the  As- 
sembly: "The  reports  sent  to  us  from  the  Presbyteries  covering  the 
portion  of  the  Church  in  which  there  is  a  large  slave  population  reveal 
the  gratifying  fact  that  the  zeal  hitherto  manifested  on  behalf  of  the  religious 
welfare  of  this  class,  instead  of  abating,  is  evidently  growing  more  ardent 
and  active.  In  their  houses  of  worship,  provision,  at  once  special  and  libe- 
ral, is  made  for  the  accommodation  of  the  colored  people,  so  that  they  may 
enjoy  the  privileges  of  the  sanctuary  in  common  with  the  whites.  Besides 
this,  nearly  all  our  ministers  hold  a  service  in  the  afternoon  of  the  Sabbath 
in  which  the  exercises  are  particularly  adapted  to  their  capacities  and  wants. 
In  some  instances,  ministers  are  engaged  in  their  exclusive  service — not 
ministers  of  inferior  ability,  but  such  as  would  be  an  ornament  and  a  bless- 
ing to  the  intelligent,  ctdtivated  congregations  of  the  land.     In  a  still  larger 


3IO  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

number  of  instances,  the  pastor  of  a  Church  composed  of  the  two  classes — 
inasmuch  as  the  blacks  form  the  more  numerous  portion,  devotes  to  them 
the  greater  share  of  his  labors,  and  finds  among  them  the  most  pleasing 
tokens  of  God's  smile  upon  his  work.  Besides  the  preaching  of  the  Word 
to  which  they  have  free  access,  in  many  cases  a  regular  system  of  catechetical 
instruction,  for  their  benefit,  is  pursued,  either  on  the  Sabbath  at  the  house 
of  worship  or  during  the  week  on  the  plantations  where  they  reside.  Thus 
we  give  thanks  unto  God,  our  common  Father,  that  he  has  inspired  the 
hearts  of  our  bt'ethren  in  the  parts  of  our  Church  referred  to,  with  love  to 
the  souls  of  this  munerotis  race,  and  that  he  has  opened  among  them  a  wide 
and  effectual  door  of  ■usefulness.'''' — [Min.  1854,  page  484. ] 

But,  in  contradiction  of  all  this,  the  Assembly  now  affirm  that  "  the 
removal  of  the  shackles  of  bondage"  has  brought  this  race  "within  the 
reach  of  missionary  effort  as  objects  of  Christian  benevolence."  They 
rejoice  in  the  fact  that  God  has,  in  the  midst  of  the  desolation  of  so  much  of 
our  country,  "  opened  a  way  for  the  instruction  and  elevation  of  this  long 
degraded  people;  that  the  slaves  are  "inspired  with  the  fact  that  they  are 
now  called  by  God  to  conquer  for  their  people  a  position  among  the  races 
of  mankind."  It  is  affirmed  that  in  their  condition  of  servitude  they  were 
degraded  and  brutalized ;  that  their  masters  were  also  brutalized — slavery 
being  the  cause  of  rebelUon  and  cruelty,  and  the  natural  root  of  assassination 
and  murder ;  that  whilst  in  a  state  of  servitude  they  were  deprived  of  the 
means  of  becoming  acquainted  with  the  Christian  religion,  and  that  the 
Presbyterian  Church  could  not  heretofore  carry  to  them  a  pure  gospel. 
— [Min.  of  Assembly,  i864-'65 — Reports  of  Freedmen's  Committee  to  the 
General  Assembly.] 

VI.  We  testify  against  the  doctrine  widely  taught  in  the  Church,  and 
even  countenanced  by  the  Assembly,  that  the  acts  and  deliverances  of  the 
Courts  of  Christ's  Commonwealth  may  properly  be  based  upon  and  shaped 
in  accordance  with  the  ordinances  and  laws  of  State  Legislatures,  the  orders 
and  proclamations  of  military  chieftains,  and  even  the  results  of  popular 
votes  given  at  the  elections.  That  before  a  Court  of  Christ  ought  to  take 
action  upon  important  questions  brought  before  them,  it  is  right  and  fitting 
they  should  inquire  "what  the  Cabinet  at  Washington  may  wish  them  to 
do,"  and  ascertain  what  effect  their  action  may  be  likely  to  have  upon  the 
mind  of  the  President  and  the  Army,  or  upon  the  price  of  Government 
stocks  abroad. — [Assembhes  of  '61  and  64.] 

VII.  We  testify  against  the  doctrine  that  the  will  of  God  as  to  the  duty 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  31I 

of  the  Church  and  of  his  people  is  to  be  learned  irova  particular  providen- 
tial eveiits,  and  that  the  teachings  of  the  Scripture  are  to  be  interpreted  by 
these  Providences.  Thus  the  Word  of  God  is  subjected  to  the  mere  caprice 
of  a  man's  own  fancy,  and  its  supreme  authority  as  the  only  infallible  rule 
of  faith  and  duty  is  subordinated  to  the  blind  and  ever-erring  interpretations 
which  may  be  put  upon  certain  isolated  occurrences,  by  human  ignorance, 
passion,  pride,  prejudices,  superstition  and  selfishness.  And  the  more  false 
and  subversive  of  the  divinely-given  foundations  of  faith  and  duty  does  this 
doctrine  become,  -when  amongst  the  special  providences  from  which  the  will 
of  God  is  to  be  learned  are  enumerated  by  the  Assembly  such  as  these : 
"The  organization  of  a  bloody  rebellion;"  "the  proclamations  of  the 
highest  Executive  authority  ;"  "  the  declared  policy  of  the  PresidenV^  con- 
cerning certain  measures  of  doubtful  result  and  over  which  he  himself  has 
only  partial  control ;  the  "enlisting  of  slaves  as  soldiers  in  the  National 
armies,"  and  "  the  setting  on  foot  of  measures  of  emancipation  in  the  loyal 
States,  which  measures  are  near  their  consummation."  A  more  total  aban- 
donment of  God's  Written  Word,  for  the  uncertain  light  of  dark  and 
mysterious  and  yet  undeveloped  providences,  and  these  to  be  expounded  by 
men,  it  may  be,  "having  their  understandings  darkened,"  and,  for  "not 
obeying  the  truth,"  perchance  "  given  up  to  believe  a  lie,"  can  scarcely  be 
conceived  of.  As  well  go  back  to  the  simpler  superstitions  of  the  Greek 
and  Roman  priesthood,  and  regard  the  flight  of  the  vulture  or  the  cackling 
of  a  goose  as  indications  of  the  will  of  God.  For  these  are  not  less  provi- 
dential events  than  the  marshaling  of  negro  soldiers  or  the  declared  policy 
of  the  highest  executive  authorities.  "Are  not  two  sparrows  sold  for  a 
farthing  ?  and  one  of  them  shall  not  fall  on  the  ground  without  your  Father." 
VIII.  We  testify  against  the  sanction  which  has  been  given,  both  directly 
and  indirectly,  to  the  usurpation,  by  the  sectdar  and  military  power,  of  au- 
thority in  and  over  the  worship  and  government  of  the  Chitrch.  This 
usurpation  has  been  sanctioned  by  Sessions,  Presbyteries,  Synods  and  the 
General  Assembly,  directly,  by  various  acts,  which  are  fully  known  to  the 
world — as,  for  example,  in  the  case  of  the  Pine  Street  Church  and  Dr. 
McPheeters,  of  St.  Touis,  in  1863-64,  and  in  the  case  of  the  St.  Charles 
Church  and  Messrs.  Farris  and  Watson,  in  1864-65.  By  the  endorsement, 
in  word  and  act,  of  such  usurpation  as  perfectly  right  by  the  Seminaries  at 
Princeton  and  Danville,  as  witness  the  doctrine  laid  down  by  the  Princeton 
Professor  of  Theology,  and  the  doctrine  and  practice  of  the  Danville  Pro- 
fessor in  the  same  department.     Indirectly,  this  usurpation  of  the  kingly 


312  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

rights  of  Jesus  Christ  in  his  own  Kingdom  has  been  sanctioned  by  the 
persistent  neglect  and  refusal  of  the  Assembly,  and  almost  all  other  Church 
•courts,  as  also  the  seminaries  and  pulpit,  to  condemn  such  usurpation,  or  to 
assert  in  any  way  the  rights  and  liberties  of  God's  people  in  all  things  per- 
taining to  the  worship  and  government  of  His  house. 

IX.  We  testify  against  that  alliance  which  has  been  virtually  formed  by 
ihe  Church  with  the  State;  by  which  the  State  has  been  encouraged,  and 
even  invited,  to  use  the  Church  as  an  instrument  for  giving  effect  to  its  va- 
rious schemes  of  a  political  character.  And,  on  the  other  hand,  the  Church 
has  become  a  subordinate  agent,  to  enforce,  with  ecclesiastical  pains  and 
penalties,  the  demands  of  the  State.  This  alliance  and  subordination  are 
shown  in  the  clearest  manner  in  the  appointing  and  enforced  observance 
by  the  secular  power  of  days  of  Fasting  and  Thanksgiving;  in  the  attempt, 
in  various  ways,  to  prescribe  what  shall  be  and  what  shall  not  be  "said  and 
sung"  in  the  prayers  and  hymns  and  sermons  upon  those  days,  as  also  on 
the  Sabbath ;  in  the  issuance  of  orders  directed  to  certain  ministers  and 
committees,  and  accepted  by  them,  giving  them  authority  to  preach  the 
gospel  in  certain  places,  and  to  take  possession  of  churches,  to  the  exclu- 
sion of  other  ministers  and  their  congregations ;  in  the  setting  up  and  pre- 
scribing, as  tests  of  ministerial  standing  and  membership  in  the  Church, 
certain  pohtical  dogmas,  and  these,  too,  necessarily  of  a  purely  partisan 
character — so  that  no  man  may  preach  the  gospel,  or  enjoy  the  fellowship 
of  the  sanctuary  unless  he  can  say  he  holds  these  dogmas  and  renounces, 
ex  animo,  as  sin  and  heresy,  the  contrary  opinions. 

X.  We  testify  against  thzi  persecution  which  has  been  carried  on  for  these 
last  five  years  past,  and  with  increasing  malignity,  toward  all  those  who 
have  steadfastly  refused  to  sanction  or  acquiese  in  these  departures  of  the 
Church  from  the  foundations  of  truth  and  righteousness.  This  spirit  of 
persecution  seems  to  have  broken  over  all  bounds  in  the  late  meeting  of  the 
Assembly.  The  testimony  of  one  of  its  most  influential  members — one,  too, 
who  acted  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  great  mass  of  that  body — is,  that 
"He  had  been  in  many  political  conventions,  yet  he  must  say  he  had  never 
any  where  seen  such  relentless  persecution  as  is  manifested  by  this  General 
Assembly."*  This  testimony  is  true.  The  dehberate  and  avowed  purpose 
of  that  body,  as  its  several  acts  most  unequivocally  show,  M-as  to  distract 
and  destroy  churches  all  over  the  land  (but  especially  in  the  Southern  and 

*Hon.  Judge  Ezving. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  313 

Border  States),  who  do  not  and  will  not  submit  to  the  unconstitutional  acts 
and  unscriptural  doctrines  put  forth  by  the  Assembly  during  the  past  five 
years.  Every  minister  is  to  be  ostracised  and  driven  away,  and  every  con- 
gregation to  be  scattered  that  will  not  subscribe  the  new  tests.  Schools, 
Seminaries,  Church  edifices  and  Manses  are  to  be  seized  and  appropriated 
to  the  use  of  those  who  are  willing  to  become  heralds  of  this  new  evangel 
of  "freedom  and  loyalty,"  who  think  that  gain  is  godliness,  and  who  appear 
fully  prepared  to  lead  on  the  Dragonnades  of  another  crusade,  in  the  name  of 
God  and  the  State,  against  Christian  women  and  children,  whom  they  have 
first  branded  as  rebels.  Thus  the  persecution  which  began  in  1861,  when 
the  Assembly  "violated  the  Constitution  of  the  Church,  and  usurped  the 
prerogative  of  its  Divine  Master  "  by  "action  .  .  unjust  and  cruel  in 
its  bearing  on  our  Southern  brethren  " — (Dr.  Hodge);  which  was  carried 
out  more  fully  in  '64  when  the  Assembly  cast  Dr.  McPheeters  "out  of  the 
Synagogue;"  was  consummated  in  1865  when  the  Assembly  virtually  ex- 
communicated the  whole  Southern  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  effect 
ordained  that  they  should  be  treated  as  heathen  and  outcasts.  And  as  in 
all  former  times,  so  now  this  persecution  is  sought  to  be  justified  by  false 
statements  and  misrepresentations,  and  is  carried  on  under  professed  zeal 
for  the  glory  of  God,  abhorrence  of  the  wickedness  of  those  against  whom 
it  is  aimed,  and  a  most  profound  and  unselfish  regard  for  the  rights  and 
prerogatives  of  C^sar. 

XI.  We  testify  against  the  wide-spread  and  destructive  perversioji  of  the 
commission  of  the  7ni?iistry  and  the  province  of  Church  Courts.  The  com- 
mission of  the  Christian  ministry  is  plain  and  simple.  To  preach  the  gos- 
pel ;  to  persuade  men  to  be  reconciled  to  God;  to  teach  all  things  whatsoever 
Christ  has  commanded.  As  Heralds  and  Ambassadors,  they  are  required 
to  confine  themselves  within  the  exact  limits  of  their  commission.  They 
are  to  know  no  man  after  the  flesh.  With  them,  in  the  discharge  of  their 
ministerial  functions,  there  is  to  be  no  difference  between  Jew  and  Greek, 
Barbarian,  Scythian,  bond  or  free.  As  ministers  they  owe  and  can  hold 
allegiance  to  no  huinan  government,  nor  can  they  give  their  influence  to 
the  support  of  any  without  violating  their  commission.  They  are  to  know 
nothing  in  the  pulpit  but  Christ  and  him  crucified;  neither  North  nor 
South;  neither  Secessionist  nor  Unionist;  neither  Loyalist  nor  Rebel; 
neither  Whig  nor  Tory;  neither  Republican  nor  Democrat.  And  so  of 
Church  Courts.  Their  authority  is  only  ministerial  and  declarative.  It  is 
spiritual.     It  has  nothing  to  do  with  matters  which  do  belong  unto  the  civil 


314  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

magistrate.  These  courts  can  only  sx>eak  -wlien  Christ  has  spoken,  and 
declare  what  he  has  said.  An>4liing  beyond  this  is  USURPATION,  and  of 
no  binding  force. 

Yet  how  entirely  the  ministry  has  ceased  to  execute  their  commission  ; 
and  to  how  great  an  extent  the  ecclesiastical  courts  have  transcended  their 
jurisdiction,  is  so  notorious  that  both  have  become  a  by-word  and  reproach 
amongst  unbelievers.  Topics  of  a  secular  and  political  character  are  ordi- 
nary and  favorite  themes  of  the  pulpit.  Ministers  are  become  the  fiercest 
of  political  partisans,  and  cry  loudest  for  blood.  And  even  the  mercy  seat 
is  profaned  by  the  outpourings  of  hatred  and  revenge  by  those  who  alik  e 
profess  to  be  sinners,  saved  by  grace,  children  of  the  same  heavenly  family 
and  subjects  of  one  Prince  of  Peace.  When  Church  courts  meet,  it  is  to 
pass  resolutions  and  listen  to  harangues,  "to  strengthen  and  encourage  the 
Government,"  and  to  "fire  the  popular  heart"  with  patriotism.  The  house 
of  God,  the  pillar  and  ground  of  the  Truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  designed  to  be 
"a  house  of  prayer  for  all  people,'"  has  thus,  to  an  alarming  extent,  become 
transformed  into  a  mere  earthly  forum,  where  the  spirit  of  this  world  usurps 
the  seat  of  the  Spirit  of  truth  and  mercy  and  love. 

XII.  We  testify  against  the  action  of  the  Assembly  in  reference  to  the 
Churches  in  the  seceded  and  border  States,  and  against  the  basing  of  that 
action  upon  an  assertion  of  what  the  Assembly  had  the  clearest  evidence  was 
not  true. 

The  Assembly  affirm  that  the  "General  Assembly  of  the  Confederate 
States  was  organized  in  order  to  render  their  aid  in  the  attempt  to  establish, 
by  means  of  the  rebellion,  a  sepai'ate  national  existence,  and  to  conserve  and 
perpetuate  the  system  of  slavery.'''  [Min.  of  General  Assembly  1865,  p. 
560.]  And  it  is  upon  the  assumption  of  the  truth  of  this  assertion  that  the 
whole  action  of  the  Assembly  touching  the  Southern  Presbyterians,  minis- 
ters and  Churches  is  founded.  Yet  the  evidence  was  distinctly  and  repeat- 
edly brought  before  that  body,  both  by  oral  testimony  and  public  docu- 
ments, that  the  assertion  was  contrary  to  fact.  That,  so  far  from  this,  the 
Assembly  of  the  so-called  Confederate  States,  in  the  most  solemn  and 
explicit  manner,  denied  and  disavozved  any  such  objects  in  their  organization, 
and  assigned  other  reasorfs  for  their  action — reasons  having  their  origin  in 
the  enactments  of  the  General  Assembly  itself  touching  those  political  ques- 
tions which  had  agitated  and  divided  the  country.  "  The  first  thing,"  says 
that  Assembly,  "which  roused  our  Presbyteries  to  look  the  question  of 
separation  seriously  in  the  face  was  the  course  of  the  Assembly  in  ven- 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  315 

turing  to  determine,  as  a  Court  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  it  did  by  necessary 
imphcation,  the  true  interpretation  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States 
as  to  the  kind  of  Government  it  intended  to  form."  .  .  .  "We  would 
have  it  distinctly  understood  that,  in  our  ecclesiastical  capacity,  we  are  nei- 
ther the  friends  nor  the  foes  of  slavery ;  that  is  to  say,  we  have  no  commis- 
sion either  to  propagate  or  abolish  it.  We  have  no  right,  as  a  Church,  to 
enjoin  it  as  a  duty  or  to  condemn  it  as  a  sin.  .  .  .  The  social,  civil  and 
political  problems  connected  with  this  great  subject  transcend  our  sphere, 
as  God  has  not  entrusted  to  his  Church  the  organization  of  society,  the 
construction  of  governments,  nor  the  allotment  of  individuals  to  their 
various  stations."* 

This  ordinance  of  the  Assembly,  thus  unjust,  in  that  it  is  founded  upon 
the  assertion  of  what  is  untrue,  is  equally  unrighteous  and  inequitable,  and 
contrary  to  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  that  it 
establishes  a  law  concerning  ministers  and  Church  members  that  is  to  be 
enforced  only  in  certain  localities  and  upon  particular  persons.  There  is 
no  reason  nor  justice  in  requiring  ministers  and  members  in  the  Southern 
and  border  States  to  repudiate  opinions  and  feelings  in  regard  to  secession, 
State  rights,  slavery,  &c.,  &c.,  whilst  ministers  and  members  in  the  North- 
ern States  are  allowed  to  hold  unquestioned  those  same  opinions  and  feel- 
ings, or  others  equally  contrary  to  the  new  doctrines  of  the  Assembly  upon 
those  subjects.  Against  so  gross  a  violation  of  that  equality  in  God's  house 
which  has  always  distinguished  a  pure  Presbyteranism  we  do  most  earnestly 
bear  our  testimony,  as  a  palpable  violation  of  that  principle  of  the  Divine 
law  enjoined  in  both  the  Old  and  New  Testament:  "Thou  shalt  not 
respect  persons  in  judgment." 

XIII.  We  testify  against  that  act  of  the  Assembly  by  which  the  Board  of 
Domestic  Missions  (that  is,  the  Executive  Committee  at  Philadelphia,  or  its 
Corresponding  Secretary)  are  constituted  a  Court  of  final  and  superior 
jurisdiction,  to  judge  of  the  orthodoxy  of  the  ministry  and  the  soundness 
of  their  views  touching  the  nature  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States, 
the  doctrine  of  State  rights,  the  freedom  of  the  negroes,  and  the  various 
important  questions  touching  their  social  and  civil  stattis  now  and  prospec- 
tive. 

XIV.  We  testify  against  all  and  every  movement  in  the  Church,  however 
cautiously  or  plausibly  veiled,  which  looks  to  a  union  of  the  State  with  the 

*Addres3  of  G.  A.  C.  S.  to  the  Churches  of  Jesus  Christ  throughout  the  world. 


3l6  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

Church,  or  a  subordination  of  the  one  to  the  other,  or  the  interference  of 
either  with  the  jurisdiction  of  the  other.  We  testify  against  any  test  of  a 
religious  character  in  order  to  the  exercise  of  the  right  of  citizenship,  and 
against  any  pohtical  test  whatever  as  a  quahfication  for  membership  in  the 
Church  or  the  exercise  of  the  functions  of  the  Gospel  ministry. 

REASONS    FOR   THIS    TESTIMONY. 

Against  each  and  all  these  errors  in  docti-ine  and  practice  we  testify : 
I.   Because  they  are  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God  and  subversive  of  its  in- 
spiration and  suprevie  authority  as   the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and 
practice. 

The  Scriptures  constantly  assert  their  own  completeness,  sufficiency,  in- 
fallibihty  and  supreme  authority,  as  the  only  rule  by  which  man  is  to  be 
guided  in  his  belief  and  duty.  The  setting  up  of  any  other  guide  or  rule 
is  every  where  condemned,  both  by  prophets  and  apostles,  speaking  in  the 
name  of  God.  To  add  to  these  complete  oracles,  or  take  from  them,  is 
pronounced  a  heinous  crime.  To  pervert,  or  make  void,  or  handle  deceit- 
fully, or  shun  to  declare  any  part  of  this  uTitten  Word,  is  to  expose  oneself 
to  the  severest  punishment.  And  it  is  an  abomination  for  any  one,  but  es- 
pecially for  the  Church,  to  leave  these  living  oracles  and  follow  the  voice  of 
false  prophets,  who  undertake  to  tell  what  is  the  will  of  God,  by  reading  the 
signs  of  the  times  and  interpreting  the  meaning  of  passing  events.  "To 
the  law  and  to  the  testimony,  if  they  speak  not  according  to  this  Word,  it  is 
because  there  is  no  light  in  them."  "Who  is  among  you  that  feareth  the 
Lord,  that  obeyeth  the  voice  of  His  servant,  that  walketh  in  darkness  and 
hath  no  light  ?  let  him  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  his 
God.  Behold,  all  ye  that  kindle  a  fire,  that  compass  yourselves  about  with 
sparks ;  walk  in  the  light  of  your  fire  and  in  the  sparks  that  ye  have  kindled. 
This  shall  ye  have  of  my  hand;  ye  shall  lie  down  in  sorrow."  (See  also 
2  Tim.,  iii,  i6,  17;  2  Peter,  i,  16-21.)  And  our  Lord  specifically  rebuked 
those  in  his  day  who  were  so  ready  to  interpret  the  will  of  God  as  they 
supposed  it  to  be  made  known  in  particular  acts  of  Providence,  when  he 
said  to  some  one  who  told  him  of  the  Gahleans,  whose  blood  Pilate  had 
mingled  with  their  sacrifices,  "  Suppose  ye  that  these  Galileans  were  sin- 
ners above  all  the  Galileans,  because  they  suffered  such  things  ?  I  tell  you, 
nay  ;  but  except  ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish.  Of  those  eighteen, 
upon  whom  the  tower  in  Siloam  fell  and  slew  them,  think  ye  that  they  were 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  317 

sinners  above  all  men  that  dwelt  in  Jerusalem  ?  I  tell  you,  nay  ;  but  except 
ye  repent  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish."  Whatever  the  uses  to  be  made  of 
the  providential  events  passing  around  us,  they  neither  furnish  us  a  rule  of 
duty,  nor  a  key  to  the  interpretation  of  the  written  Word,  nor  a  basis  of 
judgment  concerning  our  fellow-men. 

II.  Because  they  are  contrary  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
as  taught  in  her  Confession,  Catechisms  and  Constitution.  On  this  point  a 
few  citations  will  suffice:  "The  whole  counsel  of  God,  concerning  all 
things  necessary  for  his  own  glory,  man's  salvation,  faith  and  life,  is  either 
expressly  set  down  in  Scripture,  or,  by  good  and  necessary  consequence, 
may  be  deducted  from  Scripture,  unto  which  nothing  at  any  time  is  to  be 
added,  whether  by  new  revelations  of  the  Spirit  or  traditions  of  men." 
"The  infallible  rule  of  interpretation  of  Scripture  is  the  Scripture  itself, 
and,  therefore,  when  there  is  a  question  about  the  true  and  full  sense  of  any 
Scripture  (which  is  not  manifold,  but  one)  it  may  be  searched  and  known  by 
other  places  that  speak  more  clearly. 

"The  Supreme  Judge  by  whom  all  controversies  of  rehgion  are  to  be 
determined,  and  all  decrees  of  councils,  opinions  of  ancient  writers,  doc- 
trines of  men  and  private  spirits  are  to  be  examined,  and  in  whose  sentence 
we  are  to  rest,  can  be  no  other  but  the  Holy  Spirit  speaking  in  the  Scrip- 
ture."— [Conf.  Faith,  c.  ii.  sees.  6,  9,  10.  ] 

"There  is  no  other  head  of  the  Church  but  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
"The  Lord  Jesus  as  King  and  head  of  his  Church,  hath  therein  appointed 
a  government  in  the  hand  of  Church  officers  distinct  from  the  civil  magis- 
trate." "To  these  officers  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  Heaven  are  com- 
mitted, by  virtue  zuhereof  they  have  power,''''  &c. — [Conf.  Faith,  c.  xxv. 
sec.  6. — Also  Conf.  Faith,  c.  xxx.  sees,  i,  2.] 

"  For  the  better  government  and  further  edification  of  the  Church,  there 
ought  to  be  such  assemblies  as  are  commonly  called  Synods  or  Councils ; 
and  it  belongeth  to  the  overseers  and  other  rulers  of  the  particular  Churches, 
by  virtue  of  their  office  and  the  power  which  Christ  hath  given  them  for 
edification,  and  not  for  destruction,  to  appoint  such  assemblies,  and  to  con- 
vefte  together  in  them  as  often  as  they  shall  Judge  it  expedient  for  the  good 
of  the  Church. 

"  Synods  and  Councils  are  to  handle  or  conclude  nothing  but  that  which 
is  ecclesiastical,  and  are  not  to  intermeddle  with  civil  affairs  which  concern 
the  Commonwealth."     [Conf.  F.,  c.  xxxi.  sec.  i,  4.] 

"These  assemblies  ought  not  to  possess  any  civil  jurisdiction  nor  to 


3l8  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

inflict  any  civil  penalties.  Their  power  is  wholly  moral  or  spiritual,  and 
that  only  ministerial  and  declarative. 

"  Civil  magistrates  may  not  assume  to  themselves  the  administration  of 
the  Word  and  Sacraments,  or  the  powers  of  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  or  in  the  least  interfere  in  matters  of  faith.  .  .  .  It  is 
the  duty  of  the  civil  magistrate  to  protect  the  Church  of  our  common 
Lord  ...  in  such  a  manner  that  all  ecclesiastical  persons  what- 
ever shall  enjoy  the  full,  free  and  unquestioned  liberty  of  discharging  every 
part  of  their  sacred  functions  without  violence  or  danger.  And  as  Jesus 
Christ  hath  appointed  a  regular  government  and  discipline  in  his  Church, 
no  law  of  any  Commonwealth  should  interfere  with,  let  or  hinder  the  due 
exercise  thereof  among  the  voluntary  members  of  a7iy  denomination  of 
Christians  according  to  their  own  profession  and  belief."  [Conf  F.,  c,  xxxi. 
sec.  3.] 

In  the  Second  Book  of  Discipline  of  the  Scotch  Church  we  find  the 
principles,  which  are  embodied  in  the  later  standards,  thus  briefly  and 
clearly  laid  down : 

"This  power  ecclesiastical  is  different  and  distinct  in  its  own  nature  from 
that  power  and  policy  which  is  called  the  civil  power,  and  appertains  to  the 
civil  government  of  the  Commonwealth ;  albeit  they  be  both  of  God  and 
tend  to  one  end,  if  they  be  rightly  used,  to-wit :  to  advance  the  glory  of 
God  and  to  have  godly  and  good  subjects. 

"For  this  power  ecclesiastical  flows  immediately  from  God  and  the 
Mediator  Jesus  Christ,  and  is  spiritual,  not  having  a  temporal  head  on 
earth,  but  only  Christ,  the  Spiritual  King  and  Governor  of  his  Kirk. 
Therefore  this  power  and  policy  of  the  Kirk  should  lean  upon  the  Word 
immediately,  as  the  only  ground  thereof,  and  should  be  taken  from  the  pure 
fountains  of  the  Scriptures  (the  Kirk),  hearing  the  voice  of  Christ,  the  only 
Spiritual  King,  and  being  ruled  by  his  laws."  [Second  Book  of  Disci- 
pline, c.  i.  sees.  9,  10,  II.] 

III.  Because  they  tend  to  obliterate  all  the  lines  of  separation  between  the 
civil  and  ecclesiastical  powers,  to  confound  their  jurisdictions,  to  identify 
them  with  each  other,  and  so  to  destroy  the  freedom  of  both.  If  the  Church 
may  adjudicate  upon  "  civil  affairs  which  do  concern  the  Commonwealth," 
on  the  pretense  that  these  affairs  "rise  up  into  the  region  of  morals,"  and 
the  State  may  assume  to  regulate  the  worship,  teaching  and  discipline  of 
the  Church  and  control  her  courts,  under  the  pretense  of  "  maintaining  the 
authority  of  the  Government  and  preserving  the  life  of  the  nation,"  then 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  319 

there  is  a  practical  union  of  Church  and  State  and  an  end  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty,  and  the  establishment  of  a  meretricious  Politico-Ecclesiastical 
despotism. 

To  render  our  views  upon  this  point  still  clearer,  we  quote  the  language 
of  another : 

"Nothing  in  the  history  of  society  is  more  remarkable  than  the  strength 
of  that  tendency  to  confound  and  identify  its  civil  and  religious  institutions 
which  has  manifested  itself  in  all  ages.  And  yet  from  the  moment  that  the 
tribal  form  of  society  was  superseded  by  what  may  be  properly  called  the 
State,  and  the  Church  became  visible  and  separate,  nothing  would  be  more 
illogical  and  nothing  has  been  more  disastrous.     .     .     . 

"The  Church  of  Christ,  though  in  the  world,  is  not  of  it.  The  kingdoms 
of  this  world  are  exclusively  both  in  it  and  of  it.  .  .  .  The  State  is  for 
things  temporal,  things  local,  things  visible  and  transitory.  ...  In 
that  spiritual  kingdom  manifested  in  the  visible  Church,  and  whose  true 
seat  is  within  us,  neither  time,  nor  place,  nor  condition,  nor  race  has  any 
vital  significance ;  nor  can  flesh  and  blood  inherit  it ;  nor  does  anything 
avail  but  the  new  creature.  Its  union  with  the  civil  power  is  the  highest 
aggravation  of  confounding  it  with  the  world,  for  the  State  is  the  highest 
form  in  which  the  world  appears.  So  that  neither  the  visible  Church  nor 
the  civil  power  can  have  any  duty,  either  toward  God  or  itself  or  each  other, 
more  clear  and  transcendent  than  that  each  should  confine  itself,  with  respect 
to  the  other,  to  its  own  olivious  sphere,  each  regarding  the  other  as  the 
ordinance  of  the  common  Father  and  God  of  both.  .  .  .  This  spiritual 
independence  of  the  kingdom  of  God  in  this  world  is  a  necessity  so  funda- 
mental that  no  portion  of  the  visible  Church  has  surrendered  it  without 
surrendering  in  an  equal  degree  the  spirit  of  its  Divine  vocation.  And  all 
corrupt  Churches  which  have  sought  the  closest  union  with  the  civil  power 
has  done  so  not  in  order  to  submit  themselves  to  the  dominion  of  the  State, 
but  rather  to  subject  it  to  tyranny  as  relentless  as  that  which  they  made  it 
the  instrument  of  inflicting.  To  plead  for  the  freedom  of  the  Church  is, 
therefore,  to  plead  at  the  same  time  for  the  independence  of  States  and  for 
the  security  of  mankind  against  the  cruelties  of  aU  false  religion.     .     .     . 

"The  Crown  and  Kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ  appertain  to  him  as  exclu- 
sively as  his  cross.  He  alone  is  King  in  Zion,  as  really  as  he  alone  is 
the  Redeemer  of  Israel.  It  is  precisely  in  this  absolute  and  exclusive  head- 
ship of  Christ,  and  the  consecration  of  his  Church  to  him  responsive 
thereto,  that  the  root  of  her  inward  freedom  lies,  just  as  it  is  in  her  entire 


320  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

separation  from  the  world  that  her  outward  freedom  is  grounded  and  can  be 
manifest." — [Knowledge  of  God  Subjectively  Considered,  chap,  xxii.] 

IV.  Because  they  have  brought  the  ministry  and  the  ordinances  of  reli- 
gion and  the  authority  of  the  Church  into  public  disrepute.  Multitudes 
who  once  frequented  the  Sanctuary,  finding  the  gospel  no  longer  preached 
there,  have  ceased  to  attend.  Those  who  were  once  listened  to  with  rever- 
ence, as  they  held  forth  the  word  of  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  are  now  despised 
as  mere  political  demagogues  who  have  degraded  their  calling  and  become 
the  worst  panderers  to  the  passions  of  the  unthinking  mob.  Our  Synods  and 
Assemblies,  whose  utterances  in  former  years  were  received  with  venera- 
tion, as  coming  with  the  sanction  of  a  Divine  warrant,  have  ceased  to  com- 
mand even  ordinary  respect.  Thus,  by  reason  of  the  grievous  departures 
of  the  ministry  and  councils  of  the  Church  from  the  law  of  their  Divine 
Commission,  the  way  of  truth  is  evil  spoken  of  and  the  name  of  God  and 
his  doctrine  are  blasphemed.  Infidelity,  in  all  its  various  and  subtle  forms, 
is  undermining  the  faith  of  not  a  few  who  once  gloried  in  the  Christian 
name  and  esteemed  it  a  privilege  to  be  numbered  amongst  the  children  of 
Presbyterians.  Pure  Protestantism  has  been  arrested  in  its  growth,  and  is 
rapidly  losing  its  power  to  retard  the  advance  of  error  and  superstition,  of 
rationalism  and  formalism. 

V.  Because  they  tend  to  keep  up  strife  and  alienation  ajtiong  brethren  of 
a  conunon  faith  and  thus  delay  the  pacification  of  the  country.  Is  there 
one  act  of  the  General  Assembly  for  these  years  that  has  breathed  the 
spirit  of  peace  and  good  will?  Is  there  one  that  has  seemed  to  be  actuated 
by  the  spirit  of  brotherly  kindness  and  charity?  Alas!  which  one  is  not 
the  reverse  of  all  this  ?  Which  one  that  does  not  bear  the  impress  of  bitter- 
ness and  wrath  and  anger?  Which  does  not  necessarily  tend  to  perpetuate 
hostility  between  the  alienated  sections  and  parties  of  the  country;  to  widen 
instead  of  healing  the  breach  made  by  the  sword  of  civil  and  fratricidal  war, 
and  dig  a  gulf  that  shall  be  forever  impassible  between  those  whom  it  is  the 
interest  both  of  the  Church  and  State  to  unite  again  in  common  bonds  ? 

VI.  Because  they  are  schismatical.  Those  who  invent  new  doctrtnes ; 
who  teach  "for  doctrines  the  commandments  of  men;"  who  "bring  in 
damnable  heresies,"  are,  by  the  Word  of  God,  adjudged  as  schismatics.  It 
is  not  those  who  withdraw  from  such  corrupters  of  the  gospel  that  are 
chargeable  with  the  sin  of  schism,  but  those  who,  by  their  false  teaching  and 
scandalous  practice,  render  it  necessary  for  the  faithful  to  separate  them- 
selves in  order  to  preserve  their  garments  undefiled.     The  woe  pronounced 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  321 

by  our  Lord  is  upon  those  "by  whom  offenses  come."  The  flames  of  con- 
suming judgment,  symbohzed  in  the  Apocalypse,  are  to  come  upon  the 
Apostate  Church,  not  upon  those  who  "come  out  of  her"  and  renounce 
her  fellowship.  The  command  is  io -vuithdraw  ixom.  such  as  teach  "con- 
trary to  the  doctrine  which  is  according  to  godhness,"  that  ^^ sen'ants  under 
the  yoke''''  should  not  "count  their  own  masters  worthy  of  all  honor"  nor 
do  them  service. — [l  Tim.  vi.  1-5.]  It  is  plain  that  in  the  course  taken  by 
the  Assembly,  against  which  we  testify,  that  body  has  given  occasion  of 
offense,  and  been  the  guilty  author  of  a  grievous  schism  in  the  Church.  It 
was  on  account  of  some  of  those  unconstitutional  and  unscriptural,  those 
"unjust  and  cruel"  decrees  of  which  we  have  spoken,  that  the  Southern 
Presbyteries  and  Synods  felt  constrained  to  withdraw  from  their  ancient 
and  cherished  connection.  It  is  the  adherence  to  all  these  unscriptural  doc- 
trines and  ordinances,  and  the  declared  purpose  of  enforcing  them  upon  all 
in  our  communion,  by  the  exercise  of  discipline,  that  is  at  this  moment 
threatening  the  whole  Church  with  dissolution.  "Our  people  are  no  longer 
as  one  body  of  Christians;"  our  Chuixhes  "are  agitated  by  the  tumultuous 
spirit  of  party,"  and  our  Assembly  is  made  the  theatre  for  the  open  display 
of  humiliating  scenes  of  human  passions  and  weakness."  Mutual  confidence 
is  weakened;  respect  for  the  supreme  judicatory  of  our  Church  is  impaired; 
our  hope  that  the  dignified  and  impartial  course  of  justice  would  flow 
steadily  onward  has  expired,  and  a  large  portion  of  the  religious  press  is 
made  subserv-ient  to  error.  Those  who  have  succeeded  in  gaining  control 
of  the  judicatories  of  the  Church,  and  wielding  them  for  the  desti-uction  of 
her  purity,  peace,  liberty  and  unity,  now  "seek  to  give  permanent  security 
to  their  errors  and  to  themselves,  by  raising  an  outcry  in  the  churches 
against  all  who  love  the  truth  well  enough  to  contend  for  it."  "Troublers 
of  the  Church,"  "disloyal,"  "secessionists,"  "abettors  of  treason,  assassi- 
nation and  murder,"  "enemies  of  freedom,"  and  suchlike  terms  of  reproach 
are  heaped  upon  all  who  raise  their  voice  against  the  subversion  of  the 
Church. 

A  determination  is  expressed,  and  has  already  been  partly  put  into  effect, 
to  use  the  Seminaries  and  Boards  of  the  Church  to  perpetuate  and  propa- 
gate the  false  doctrines  we  have  enumerated,  and  to  employ  the  courts  of 
the  Church  to  silence  and  cut  off  all  who  refuse  to  assent  to  such  doctrines. 
Thus  the  General  Assembly,  instead  of  being  the  safeguard  of  the  faith  and 
order  of  the  whole  Church,  the  protector  of  the  rights  and  liberties  of  its 
ministers  and  members,  and  the  bond  of  unity  for  the  several  churches 
21 


322 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 


under  its  care,  has  itself  become  the  support  of  heresy,  the  abettor  of  in- 
justice and  despotism,  the  fomenter  of  discord,  and  the  prime  leader  in 
promoting  a  great  and  destructive  schism  in  the  body  of  Christ. 
'  Such,  then,  is  the  alarming,  unhappy  and  ruinous  condition  to  which  our 
beloved  Chuich  has,  with  a  rapidity  unparalleled,  at  length  arrived.  The 
ancient  landmarks  of  Truth  and  Freedom  which  our  fathers  set  amid  the 
raging  storm  of  persecution  have  been  swept  away.  The  infalUble  oracles 
of  God  have  been  abandoned  for  the  purblind  leadings  of  natural  instinct 
and  the  uncertain  teachings  of  human  reason.  The  pure  and  heavenly  prin- 
ciples of  charity,  taught  by  apostles  and  evangelists  and  illustrated  in  their 
lives,  have  been  substituted  by  a  shallow  humanitarian  philanthropy  which, 
whilst  it  devours  widows'  houses  and  renders  void  God's  law  of  love,  makes 
broad  its  phylacteries,  and  with  sound  of  trumpet  parades  its  zeal  for  the 
poor  and  the  enslaved.  The  plainest  teachings  of  the  Holy  Scriptures 
respecting  the  relation  and  duties  of  masters  and  servants  (despotai  kai 
doiiloi)  have  been  pronounced  cruel  and  unjust;  to  believe  and  practice  in 
accordance  therewith  branded  as  an  "  unwillingness  of  the  human  heart  to 
see  and  accept  the  truth  against  the  prejudices  of  habit  and  interest."  And 
an  institution  which  has  always  existed  in  the  Church  uncondemned,  and 
which  was  recognized  and  sanctioned  by  Christ  and  his  Apostles,  is  pro- 
nounced an  ^^  evil  and guilt,''^  condemned  as  "  SIN,"  and  affirmed  to  be  the 
"root  of  rebellion,  war  and  bloodshed,  and  the  long  list  of  horrors  which 
follow  in  their  train."  The  prophetic  office  of  Jesus  Christ  has  thus  been 
impugned,  and  the  utterances  of  false  prophets  substituted  for  His  words. 
In  like  manner  has  his  office  as  the  High  Priest,  Intercessor  of  men  been 
assailed.  The  right  and  privilege  of  the  Christian  is  thus  declared  by  the 
Apostle :  "  Seeing  that  we  have  a  Great  High  Priest  that  is  passed  into  the 
heavens,  Jesus  the  Son  of  God — not  an  High  Priest  who  can  not  be  touched 
with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities,  but  was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  Ave 
are — let  us  therefore  come  boldly"  (7neta parrhasias,  free-spokenness,  with 
the  liberty  of  confiding  children)  "  unto  the  throne  of  grace,  that  we  may 
obtain  mercy  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need."  But  the  exercise  of 
this  freedom  has  been  forbidden.  Limits  have  been  prescribed  in  the  Inter- 
cession of  God's  people  and  to  the  prerogatives  of  the  Great  High  Priest. 
It  has  been  forbidden  to  pray  for  this  or  that  person  or  thing;  it  has  been 
required  to  ask  only  for  blessings  upon  this  or  that  man,  and  to  plead  only 
for  the  success  and  safety  of  this  or  that  cause  or  measure.  It  has  been 
demanded  that  the  mercy  seat  should  only  resound  with  imprecations  upon 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  323 

one  class  of  men  and  benedictions  upon  another.  The  mihtary  sword  has 
been  thrust  between  the  people  of  God  and  the  throne  of  gi-ace,  and  this 
impious  attempt  to  restrict  the  prerogatives  of  the  High  Priest  of  the  Church, 
and  that  freedom  of  access  to  himself  which  he  has  bestowed  as  an  inalien- 
able right  upon  his  people,  has  received  the  most  unequivocal  sanction  of 
the  great  body  of  the  Church.  Nor  less  has  the  supreme  authority  of  Christ 
in  the  exercise  of  his  kingly  office  been  trampled  under  foot  by  those  who 
have  sworn  obedience  to  his  Government.  By  the  repeated  acts  of  the 
several  judicatories  of  the  Church,  including  the  General  Assembly  itself, 
the  invasion  of  the  freedom  of  Christ's  Commonwealth  by  the  civil  and 
military  powers  has  been  not  only  allowed,  but  approved.  The  right  of  the 
secular  power  thus  to  interfere  in  the  affairs  of  Christ's  Kingdom  has  been 
admitted,  and  the  duty  of  submitting  cheerfully  to  the  exercise  of  this  right 
enforced  upon  ministers  and  Church  members.  Thus  the  crown  rights  of 
Prince  Immanuel  have  been  surrendered  to  his  enemies.  The  honor  and 
glory  of  Zion  is  trailed  in  the  dust.  No  longer  can  it  be  said  that  our 
Church  serves  "another  king,  one  Jesus."  As  by  the  Jewish  Church  of 
old,  so  it  seems  to  be  again  proclaimed  with  loud  and  angry  vociferations  by 
priest  and  people,  "We  have  no  king  but  Caesar." 

The  whole  mediatorial  glory  and  dignity  of  the  Messiah  has  been  thus 
tarnished,  and  all  the  offices  of  Prophet,  Priest  and  King,  which  he  executes 
for  the  salvation  of  his  people,  are  subverted  and  surrendered.  If  this, 
then,  be  not  an  apostasy,  surely  it  needs  but  little  to  make  it  so,  clearly, 
unmistakably,  fatally.  Nothing  can  prevent  this  but  the  blessing  of 
Almighty  God  upon  the  efforts  which  his  faithful  witnesses  may  make  to 
arouse  the  people  to  a  reality  of  the  extent  of  the  evil  and  danger,  and  to  bring 
them  by  prompt  and  decided  action  to  purge  the  Church  of  the  evil  influence 
which  has  corrupted  and  betrayed  her. 

Against  this  corruption  and  betrayal,  therefore,  we  testify  in  the  sight  of 
God  and  angels  and  men.  We  wash  our  hands  of  all  participation  in  its 
guilt  We  declare  our  deliberate  purpose,  trusting  in  God,  who  can  save  by 
few  as  well  as  by  many,  to  use  our  best  endeavors  to  bring  back  the  Church 
of  our  fathers  to  her  ancient  purity  and  integrity,  upon  the  foundation  of 
the  Apostles  and  Prophets,  and  under  the  banner  of  our  only  King,  Priest 
and  Prophet,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  In  this  endeavor  we  pledge  ourselves 
to  assist  and  co-operate  with  each  other.  And,  by  the  grace  of  God,  we 
will  never  abandon  the  effort,  no  matter  what  sacrifices  it  may  require  us  to 
make,  until  we  shall  either  have  succeeded  in  reforming  the  Church  and 


324  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

restoring  her  tarnished  glory,  or,  failing  in  this,  necessity  shall  be  laid  upon 
us,  in  obedience  to  the  Apostolic  command,  to  "withdraw  "  from  those  who 
have  departed  from  the  truth.  Compelled  to  this  course  we  will  go,  bearing 
with  us  the  true  Presbyterian  Church,  with  her  doctrine,  order,  worship  and 
freedom,  as  they  have  been  given  her  by  her  Divine  Head,  and  transmitted 
from  generation  to  generation  by  the  hands  of  saints  and  confessors  and 
martyrs. 

ACTION    PROPOSED. 

And  now,  dear  brethren  in  Christ,  that  without  delay  we  may  begin  this 
arduous  and  most  important  work,  to  you  who,  like  ourselves,  are  serv- 
ants of  the  Lord  Christ,  "who  adhere  to  the  plain  doctrines  of  the  cross 
as  taught  in  the  standards  of  the' Westminster  Assembly;"  to  all  of  you 
"who  love  your  ancient  and  pure  Constitution;  "  to  you  who  are  grieved 
for  the  afflictions  of  Jacob,  and  desire  to  restore  our  abused  and  corrupted 
Church  to  her  simplicity,  purity  and  liberty ;  we,  a  portion  of  yourselves, 
ministers  and  elders  of  your  Churches,  w-ould  propose  most  respectfully 
and  kindly,  and  yet  most  earnestly : 

1.  "That  we  refuse  to  give  our  support  to  ministers,  elders,  agents, 
editors,  teachers,  or  to  those  who  are  in  any  other  capacity  engaged  in 
religious  instruction  or  effort,  who  hold  the  preceding  or  similar  heresies." 

2.  That  we  refuse  to  take  any  part  in  the  discussion  or  decision  by  any 
Ecclesiastical  Court  of  those  questions  touching  the  policy  and  measures 
which  do  properly  pertain  to  the  civil  commonwealth. 

3.  That  we  will  recognize  no  authority  in  the  decision  of  questions  of 
Christian  doctrine  or  morals,  or  concerning  the  rights  of  the  Church  or  the 
duties  of  its  members,  other  than  the  written  Word  of  God. 

4.  That  we  will  not  take  any  oath  prescribed  by  civil  or  military  authority 
as  a  qualification  for  sitting  in  a  Church  Court,  or  for  worshiping  God, 
or  for  preaching  the  Gospel,  or  exercising  any  of  the  functions  of  the  min- 
istry.    Nor  will  we  sit  in  any  judicatory  thus  constituted. 

5.  That  we  will  extend  our  sympathy  and  aid,  as  we  may  have  oppor- 
tunity, to  all  who  in  any  way  are  subject  to  ecclesiastical  censure  or  civil 
disabilities  or  penalties  for  their  adherence  to  the  principles  we  maintain  and 
the  repudiation  of  the  errors  in  doctrine  and  practice  against  which  we  bear 
testimony. 

6.  That  we  will  not  sustain,  or  execute,  or  in  any  manner  assist  in  the 
execution  of  the  orders  passed  at  the  last  two  Assemblies  on  the  subject  of 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  325 

slavery  and  loyalty ;  and  with  reference  to  the  conducting  of  missions  in  the 
Southern  States,  and  with  regard  to  the  ministers,  members  and  churches 
in  the  seceded  and  border  States. 

7.  That  we  will  withhold  our  contributions  from  the  Boards  of  the  Church 
(with  the  exception  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions)  and  from  the  Theo- 
logical Seminaries,  until  these  institutions  are  rescued  from  the  hands  of 
those  who  are  perverting  them  to  the  teaching  and  promulgation  of  prin- 
ciples subversive  of  the  system  they  were  founded  and  organized  to  uphold 
and  disseminate.  And  we  will  appropriate  the  moneys  thus  withheld  in 
aid  of  those  instrumentalities  which  may  be  employed  for  maintaining  and 
defending  the  principles  affirmed  in  this  declaration  against  the  errors  herein 
rejected  and  in  assisting  the  impoverished  ministers  and  Churches  every- 
where throughout  the  country  who  agree  with  us  in  these  essential  doctrines 
in  restoring  and  building  up  their  congregations  and  houses  of  worship. 

8.  We  recommend  that  all  Ministers,  Elders,  Church  Sessions,  Presby- 
teries and  Synods,  who  approve  this  Declaration  and  Testimony,  give  their 
public  adherence  thereto  in  such  manner  as  they  shall  prefer,  and  communi- 
cate their  names,  and  when  a  Church  court,  a  copy  of  their  adhering  act." 

9.  "  That,  inasmuch  as  our  only  hope  of  improvement  and  reformation  in 
the  affairs  of  our  Church  depends  upon  the  interposition  of  Him  who  is 
King  in  Zion,  that  we  will  unceasingly  and  importunately  supplicate  a  Throne 
of  Grace  for  the  return  of  that  purity  and  peace  the  absence  of  which  we 
now  sorrowfully  deplore." 

10.  We  do  earnestly  recommend  that  on  the day  of 

,  A.   D.,    1865,  a  Convention  be  held  in  the  city  of 

,  composed  of  all  such  Ministers  and  Ruling  Elders  as 

may  concur  in  the  views  and  sentiments  of  this  Testimony,  to  deliberate  and 
consult  on  the  present  state  of  our  Church ;  and  to  adopt  such  further 
measures  as  may  seem  best  suited  to  restore  her  prostrated  Standards,  and 
vindicate  the  pure  and  peaceful  religion  of  Jesus  from  the  reproach  which 
has  been  brought  upon  it  through  the  faithlessness  and  corruption  of  its 
ministers  and  professors. 

"And  now,  brethren,  our  whole  heart  is  laid  open  to  you  and  to  the 
world.  If  a  majority  of  our  Church  are  against  us  (as  we  have  too  much 
reason  to  apprehend  it  is),  they  will,  we  suppose,  in  the  end,  either  see  the 
infatuation  of  their  course  and  retrace  their  steps,  or  they  will  at  last  attempt 
to  cut  us  off.  If  the  former,  we  shall  bless  the  God  of  Jacob;  if  the  latter, 
vfe  desire  to  stand  ready,  for  the  sake  of  Christ  and  in  support  of  the  Testi- 


326  MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

mony  now  made,  to  endure  whatever  suffering  may  be  required  of  us  by 
our  Lord.  We  have  here  frankly,  openly  and  candidly  laid  before  our 
erring  brethren  the  course  we  are,  by  the  grace  of  God,  irrevocably  de- 
termined to  pursue.  It  is  our  steadfast  aim  to  reform  the  Church,  or  so 
testify  against  its  errors  and  defections  until  testimony  will  be  no  longer 
heard.  And  we  commit  the  issue  into  the  hands  of  Him  who  is  over  all, 
God  blessed  forever.     Amen." 

But  the  Northern  Church  was  not  in  the  temper  to  be 
reformed.  The  dominant  party,  which  had  risen  into  power 
upon  the  whirlwind  of  poHtical  passions,  was  too  much  intoxi- 
cated with  the  lust  of  dominion  to  brook  any  restraint  upon  its 
arbitrary  will.  The  overwhelming  majority  by  which — through 
five  years  of  intense  excitement — it  had  succeeded  in  passing 
all  its  measures,  gave  assurance  of  an  easy  triumph  over  this 
feeble  band,  whose  only  weapon  was  a  Declaration,  on  the  un- 
popular side,  against  the  madness  and  fury  which  were  ruling 
the  country.  The  St.  Louis  Assembly  was  opened  in  the  usual 
form,  at  eleven  o'clock  on  Thursday,  May  17,  1866.  At  four 
in  the  afternoon  the  Moderator  and  Clerk  were  duly  elected; 
just  then — at  precisely  the  earliest  moment  that  business  could 
be  introduced — the  following  resolution  was  offered :  " 

Whereas,  It  is  understood  that  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville  has  openly 
defied  the  General  Assembly  and  refused  to  submit  to  its  orders,  in  a 
pamphlet  adopted  by  it,  of  which  the  following  is  a  specimen,  viz. :  **  We 
will  not  sustain  or  execute  or  in  any  manner  assist  in  the  execution  of  the 
orders  passed  at  the  last  two  Assemblies  on  the  subject  of  slavery  and 
loyalty,  and  with  reference  to  the  conducting  of  missions  in  the  Southern 
States,  and  with  regard  to  the  ministers,  members  and  Churches  in  the 
seceded  and  border  States ;  "  and. 

Whereas,  Said  Presbytery  has  commissioned  and  sent  to  this  Assembly 
at  least  one  Commissioner  who,  if  the  order  of  the  last  Assemby  had  been 
faithfully  executed  by  said   Presbytery,  there  is  the  strongest  ground  for 

Note.— Some  portions  of  the  above  recommendation,  together  with  most  of  the 
closing  paragraph,  are  taken  from  the  Act  and  Testimony,  A.  D.  1855. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  327 

believing  would  have  been  suspended  from  the  functions  of  the  Gospel 
ministry;  therefore, 

Resolved ,Thz.i  until  the  Assembly  shall  have  examined  and  decided  upon 
the  conduct  of  said  Presbytery,  the  Commissioners  therefrom  shall  not  be 
entitled  to  seats  in  this  body. 

A  committee  of  four  ^Ministers  and  three  Ruling  Elders  are 
appointed  to  look  into  matters  and  report. 

This  committee  of  seven  deliberate  what  further  action 
shall  be  taken  by  the  Assembly  after  ejecting  the  Commissioners 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville.  The  committee  propose  that 
the  Presbytery  of  Louisville  be  forthwith  dissolved  as  "  recusant " 
and  "  rebellious,"  and  that  a  new  Presbytery  be  constituted  of 
certain  parties  named,  who  must,  however,  subscribe  a  formula 
avowing  their  disapproval  of  the  Declaration  and  Testimony. 
Two  months  of  grace  is  also  allowed  to  the  signers  of  that 
wicked  document  to  retract  their  error;  after  which,  if  still 
recusant,  their  pastoral  relations  are  to  be,  ipso  facto,  dissolved. 
This  form  of  discipline,  however,  was  superseded  by  the  famous 
Gurley  substitute.    It  is  embraced  in  the  following  resolutions : 

1.  Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  does  hereby  condemn  the 
Declaration  and  Testimony  as  a  slander  against  the  Church,  schisraatical  in 
its  character  and  aims,  and  its  adoption  by  any  of  our  Church  Courts  as  an 
act  of  rebellion  against  the  authority  of  the  General  Assembly. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  whole  subject  contemplated  in  this  report,  including 
the  report  itself,  be  referred  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  and  Testimony,  and  the 
members  of  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville  who  voted  to  adopt  that  paper, 
be  summoned  to  appear  before  the  next  General  Assembly  to  answer  for 
what  they  have  done  in  this  matter;  and  that,  until  their  case  is  decided, 
they  shall  not  be  permitted  to  sit  as  members  of  any  Church  Court  higher 
than  the  Session. 

4.  Resolved,  That  if  any  Presbytery  shall  disregard  this  action  of  the 
General  Assembly,  and  at  any  meeting  shall  enroll,  as  entitled  to  a  seat  or 
seats  in  the  body,  one  or  more  of  the  persons  designated  in  the  preceding 
resolution  and  summoned  to  appear  before  the  next  General  Assembly,  then 


-328  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

that  Presbytery  shall,  ipso  facto,  be  dissolved;  and  its  ministers  and  elders 
who  adhere  to  this  action  of  the  Assembly  are  hereby  authorized  and  directed 
in  such  cases  to  take  charge  of  the  Presbyterial  records,  to  retain  the  name 
and  exercise  all  the  authority  and  functions  of  the  original  Presbytery  until 
the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly. 

5.  Resolved,  That  Synods,  at  their  next  stated  meetings,  in  making 
up  their  rolls,  shall  be  guided  and  governed  by  this  action  of  the  General 
Assembly. 

The  Commissioners  who  represented  Louisville  Presbytery 
at  St.  Louis,  in  1866,  were  Drs.  Robinson  and  Wilson,  min- 
isters, with  Mark  Hardin  and  Charles  Wickliffe,  elders.  But 
these  distinguished,  godly  and  venerable  men  were  cast  out  of 
the  Assembly. 

Dr.  McPheeters,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Louisville  Presbytery, 
in  June,  1866,  immediately  subsequent  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly, offered  the  following  paper : 

Now,  therefore,  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville,  in  view  of  these  facts  and 
the  new  and  solemn  issues  which  they  force  upon  this  court,  adopt  the  fol- 
lowing minute  : 

1.  This  Presbytery,  being  a  constituent  part  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
had  a  right  to  select  and  send  Commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly  "to 
consult,  vote  and  determine  on  all  things  that  "may"  come  before  that 
body  according  to  the  principles  and  Constitution  of  the  Presbyterian 
**  Church  and  the  Word  of  God, "and  Presbytery  solemnly  affirms  that  this 
right  is  derived  not  from  the  General  Assembly,  but  from  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  the  Head  of  the  Church,  and  that  this  right  is  secured  to  this  body, 
not  by  the  pleasure  or  opinion  or  vote  of  Commissioners  representing  other 
Presbyteries,  but  by  the  Constitution  of  the  Church,  which  rests  upon  the 
revealed  will  of  Christ ;  and,  therefore,  for  the  Assembly  to  deny  or  wrest 
from  this  Presbytery  this  right,  except  by  regular  trial  and  discipline  accord- 
ing to  the  Standards  of  the  Church  and  the  Word  of  God,  is  a  usurpation  of 
the  rights  of  the  Lord  Christ,  and  is  proceeding  on  a  principle  which  not 
only  violates,  but  subverts  the  Constitution  of  the  Church. 

2.  This  Presbytery  further  declares  that  when  this  action  was  taken  by 
the  Assembly,  this  judicatory  was  in  no  way  and  in  no  sense  under  discipline 
or  process  of  discipline,  that  no  notice,  citation  or  summons  of  any  kind 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    M'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  329 

had  been  served  on  this  body,  and,  further,  that  the  records  of  Presbytery 
were  not  under  review  by  the  Assembly,  nor  were  they  even  in  their  hands. 
There  was  not,  therefore,  and  in  the  nature  of  the  case  there  could  notbe, 
any  ground  or  pretext  for  excluding  the  Commissioners  of  this  Presbytery 
other  than  the  assumption  of  an  arbitrary  and  unlimited  power  by  the 
Assembly,  which  needs  but  to  be  imitated  by  Synods,  Presbyteries  or  Church 
Sessions  to  carry  anarchy  and  ruin  through  the  entire  Church. 

3.  This  Presbytery  further  declares,  that  it  is  with  profound  sorrow  and 
shame  that  they  find  the  Highest  Court  of  the  Church,  by  a  majority  of 
201  to  50,  adopting,  and  that  under  the  operation  of  rules  which  shows  that 
this  majority  considered  the  paper  before  them  too  plain  to  need  discussion 
and  too  perfect  to  admit  of  amendment,  a  resolution  excluding  Louisville 

■  Presbytery  from  seats  in  the  body  "until  the  Assembly  shall  have  exammed 
and  decided  on  the  conduct  of  said  Presbytery" — as  though  a  Presbytery 
had  no  right  to  be  present  by  Commissioners  when  its  "conduct"  was 
being  "examined  and  decided" — as  though,  even  if  its  Commissioners  were 
in  their  seats,  a  Presbytery,  according  to  our  Constitution,  could  have  its 
"conduct  examined  and  decided  upon  "  by  a  superior  court,  and  yet  the 
Presbytery  know  nothing  of  the  whole  thing  until  the  "examination"  is 
over  and  the  "decision"  rendered — as  though  in  so  vital  and  fundamental 
a  matter  as  the  right  of  representation  any  "examination  and  decision," 
with  no  Commissioners  on  the  floor,  no  Presbytery  cited  to  appear,  and  no 
records  before  the  court,  could  be  anything  but  a  mockery  of  right  and 
justice. 

4.  This  Presbytery,  moreover,  feels  constrained  to  utter  its  solemn 
protest  against  a  court  of  the  Lord's  House  passing  a  preamble  in  which 
charges  are  instituted  against  a  minister  in  good  standing  of  a  character  so 
grave  as  to  merit  deposition  from  the  ministry,  and  doing  this  not  that  the 
charges  may  be  investigated,  but  that  they  may  be  put  iip07i  the  minutes  ; 
and  while  doing  it,  by  a  relentless  and  immediate  enforcement  of  the  previous 
question,  effectually  to  close  the  lips  of  the  accused  against  a  single  word  of 
remonstrance,  explanation  or  denial,  as  a  cruel  and  wanton  outrage  upon 
Christian  and  ministerial  character. 

Harsh  and  divisive  measures  rent  the  Church  asunder; 
the  Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri  spht  in  twain.  When 
the  Assembly  met,  in  i867,  in  Cincinnati,  the  first  duty  was  to 
decide  between  the  claims  of  rival  Presbyteries  contesting  the 


330  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

right  of  representation  in  that  Court.  This  matter,  together 
with  all  others  relating  to  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  and 
Testimony,  was  referred  to  a  committee  of  ten.  Pending  the 
discussion  of  its  report  the  claimants  for  contested  seats  were 
heard,  and  two  of  the  Declaration  signers  appeared  in  obedience 
to  citation  and  offered  their  defense ;  after  which,  by  the  over- 
whelming vote  of  261  to  4,  the  paper  was  adopted  which  made 
a  final  disposition  of  all  these  issues.  By  one  sweeping  sen- 
tence of  outlawry  two  Synods  and  twelve  Presbyteries  in  the 
States  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri,  embracing  some  150  min- 
isters, 250  Churches,  500  Ruling  Elders  and  1,500  communi- 
cants, w^ere  disowned  and  dropped.  Then  follows,  as  a  matter 
of  course,  the  grace  of  reconstruction  out  of  all  this  chaos. 
All  members  of  these  "  unlawful  organizations,"  if  not  signers  of 
the  Declaration,  may  be  received  into  the  bosom  of  the  Church 
upon  the  simple  expression,  to  the  proper  Presbytery,  of  a  desire 
to  adhere ;  but  those  who  had  put  their  signature  to  this  naughty 
instrument  must  first  purge  themselves  by  the  following  formula 
of  abjuration : 

I,  A B ,  hereby  declai-e  my  desire  to  adhere  to  the  Presbyterian 

Church,  in  the  United  States  of  America;  and  do  now  promise  to  render 
due  obedience  in  the  Lord  to  the  authority  of  all  its  Courts,  embracing  the 
Presbytery,  the  Synod,  and  the  General  Assembly;  and  to  this  end,  inas- 
much as  the  last  General  Assembly  pronounced  the  aforesaid  Declaraion  and 
Testimony  to  be  a  slander  against  the  Church,  schismatical  in  its  character 
and  aims,  and  its  adoption  by  any  of  our  Church  Courts  an  act  of  rebelhon 
against  the  authority  of  the  General  Assembly,  I  do  hereby  disclaim  that  I 
had  any  intention  to  rebel  against  or  renounce  the  authority  of  the  General 
Assembly  in  signing  the  Declaration  and  Testimony,  and  I  hereby  -with- 
draw all  language  deemed  by  the  General  Assembly  offensive  or  disre- 
spectful in  which  its  sentiments  are  expressed. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  331 


CHAPTER    XYII. 

PASTORAL  WORK  AT  MULBERRY. 

In  the  spring  of  1865,  as  before  remarked,  Dr.  McPheeters 
received  and  accepted  a  call  to  Mulberry,  Kentucky.  This 
Church  is  situated  in  the  heart  of  a  fine  agricultural  region,  and 
its  members  are  noted  for  kindness  to  the  servants  of  Christ, 
in  connection  with  a  steadfast  adherence  to  the  truth.  This 
is  the  spot  where  the  Rev.  Archibald  Cameron,  called  the 
Father  of  Presbyterianism  in  Shelby  county,  whose  praise  was 
in  all  the  Churches  for  sound  doctrine,  simple  faith  and  great 
abihties,  had  his  home.  The  people  at  an  early  day  were 
taught  from  the  lips  of  "  this  Prince  and  great  man  in  Israel." 
The  foundations  which  he  laid  in  the  blessed  doctrine  of  the 
"  Crown  and  Covenant "  could  not  be  easily  effaced ;  for  he 
"walked  about  Zion  and  went  round  about  her;  he  told  the 
towers  thereof,  marked  well  her  bulwarks  and  considered  well 
her  palaces,  that  the  daughters  of  Judah  might  be  glad  and  tell 
it  to  the  generation  following."  When  this  able  and  faithful 
minister  of  the  New  Testament  "  fell  on  sleep  "  his  mantle 
descended  upon  others  who  did  not  shun  to  declare  the  whole 
counsel  of  God.  Such  men  as  Paxton  and  Wilson  were  his 
worthy  successors.  And  now,  when  the  land  mourns,  the  saintly 
but  persecuted  McPheeters  finds  a  refuge  and  shelter  in  the 
bosom  of  this  favored  and  sympathizing  congregation.  And 
from  the  moment  that  he  came  the  people  "  were  knit  to  the 
hunted  martyr  as  the  soul  of  Jonathan  to  the  soul  of  David, 
and  they  took  him  that  day  and  would  let  him  go  no  more  " 


332  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

until  the  young  men  that  loved  him  bore  his  precious  dust  to  a 
peaceful  resting  place  in  the  grave. 

At  no  period  of  life  could  Dr.  McPheeters  have  been  con- 
sidered physically  robust.  The  jewel  was  set  in  a  fine  but 
delicate  casket.  The  work  which  he  did  in  St.  Louis  previous 
to  the  war  taxed  bodily  strength  to  the  utmost.  The  manu- 
script preparations  which  remain  attest  most  clearly  that  the 
Pine  street  congregation  were  served  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath 
with  "  well  beaten  oil."  These  "  labors  abundant,"  added  to 
engagements  from  without,  weighed  heavily  upon  a  constitu- 
tion naturally  fragile.  But  few  individuals  outside  of  the 
ministry  comprehend  the  "  weariness,  watchings  and  painful- 
ness  "  which  come  daily  upon  the  conscientious  pastor.  Beside 
the  legitimate  care  of  the  flock,  he  is  often  hindered,  and  even 
persecuted,  by  unreasonable  men;  for  happy  indeed  is  the 
Church  that  does  not  contain  in  its  bosom  a  prating  Diotrephes, 
a  carping  Iscariot,  or  some  morbidly  sensitive  member  who,  des- 
titute of  self-respect,  worries  every  company  that  he  enters  with 
a  history  of  pastoral  oversights  and  congregational  neglect.  The 
failing  health  of  Dr.  McPheeters  called  for  rest  and  recreation ; 
hence  the  visit  to  New  jMexico.  He  was  absent  a  year;  and 
if  on  his  return  the  pastor  had  been  permitted,  without  moles- 
tation, to  preach  Christ  and  Him  crucified,  all  might  have  gone 
well ;  but  to  the  wonted  duties  of  a  pastorate  were  superadded 
the  extraordinary  responsibilities  necessarily  imposed  by  a 
frightful  national  conflict,  and,  as  though  this  was  not  enough, 
persecution  began  its  diabolical  work.  The  faithful,  gentle 
shepherd  was  hunted  like  a  beast  of  the  mountains,  not  by 
Caesar  himself,  but  by  Caesar  "evil  entreated"  by  "false 
brethren."  The  shaft  of  the  hunter  was  well  aimed,  and 
pierced  with  precision  the  flesh  of  the  victim.  It  was  seen, 
alas !  too  soon,  that  the  "  pitcher  had  been  broken  at  the  foun- 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  ^^^ 

tain."  And  thus,  worn  and  feeble,  the  noble  exile  entered  on 
labor  in  his  new  field  at  Mulberry. 

A  pastor's  work  in  the  quiet  country  does  not  afford  much 
variety  of  incident  for  the  pen  of  the  biographer.  But  in  a 
field  like  this,  to  a  minister  who  has  the  good  sense  and  piety 
to  cultivate  it  properly,  there  are  peculiar  advantages  and  ele- 
vated joys ;  for  outside  of  the  dust  and  hurry  of  a  great  city 
are  leisure  and  befitting  opportunity  to  commune  with  one's 
own  soul  and  God,  while  the  intercourse  with  an  unpretending 
but  sensible  people  is  sincere,  endearing  and  satisfactory. 
Situated  in  the  center  of  a  rural  district  a  preacher  worthy  of 
the  name  is  literally  the  parson, or  person  to  whom  all  eyes  are 
turned  with  deference  and  respect ;  and  if  the  pastor  does  not 
gain  influence  and  find  a  cordial  welcome  at  every  fire  side, 
the  fault  unquestionably  is  with  himself,  for  the  population 
here  are  affectionate  and  confiding,  and  the  removal  or  death 
of  the  minister  is  regarded  with  anxiety  and  lamented  with 
tears. 

Dr.  McPheeters  was  panting  under  the  trials  and  perplexities 
of  the  past;  but  now,  after  four  years  of  turmoil,  he  finds  a 
home  in  a  peaceful  agricultural  region,  far  removed  from  the 
din  and  business  of  the  crowded  city.  And  friends  fondly 
hoped  that  change  of  scene,  in  connection  with  gentle  labors 
in  the  open  air,  would  reinvigorate  the  wasted  energies  of  both 
body  and  mind.  For  a  year  or  more  the  pastor  had  sufficient 
strength  to  visit,  to  a  limited  extent  at  least,  the  congregation 
at  their  own  homes ;  but,  in  addition,  from  the  very  beginning, 
he  threw  the  doors  of  the  parsonage  wide  open  and  invited  all 
to  enter.  And  whatever  the  anxiety  or  sorrow,  the  soul  of  the 
sufferer,  when  it  looked  upon  the  solemn,  benignant  face  of  the 
preacher,  realized  in  a  moment  that  this  was  no  mere  "  profes- 
sional "  teacher,  but  a  man  "  come  from  God  "  to  bind  up  the 


334  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

broken  in  heart,  to  comfort  the  mourner,  and  to  point  by  au- 
thority and  with  a  brother's  sympathies  the  weary  and  heavy 
laden  to  Christ. 

On  September  15,  1865,  Dr.  J.  H.  Brookes  wrote  to  Dr.  Mc- 
Pheeters  and  enclosed  him  an  "  extract  from  mmutes  of  Pres- 
bytery of  St.  Louis,"  signed  by  Stated  Clerk.  The  minutes 
are  as  follows : 

EXTRACT   FROM   MINUTES   OF   PRESBYTERY   OF  ST.  LOUIS,    IN  SESSION  AT 
WASHINGTON,    MO.,    SEPT.    7,    1 865. 

This  being  the  first  regular  meeting  enjoyed  by  this  body  for  a  length  of 
time  free  from  any  obstruction  from  without,  the  Presbytery  feel  bound  to 
record  their  view  of  a  case  of  great  importance,  which  resulted  in  the  dis- 
solution of  the  relation  existing  between  Rev.  Dr.  McPheeters  and  the  Pine 
Street  Church,  and,  finally,  in  a  prohibition  of  his  preaching  in  that  Church. 
The  facts  are  briefly  these : 

On  the  15th  of  May,  1863,  2.  pro-re-nata  meeting,  which  initiated  the 
proceedings,  was  called  almost  immediately  after  a  full  regular  meeting,  and 
at  a  time  of  wide-spread  excitement  and  alarm  in  the  country,  when  the 
minds  of  men  were  eminently  unfitted  for  a  calm  consideration  and  judicious 
adjustment  of  grave  questions,  and  when  Dr.  McPheeters  was  prevented 
from  attending  by  mihtary  authority,  and,  therefore,  had  no  opportunity  for 
defense. 

On  the  27th  of  May,  1863,  a  meeting  of  Pine  Street  Church  was  held, 
when  it  was  determined,  by  a  vote  of  91  to  56,  not  to  agree  to  a  dissolution 
of  the  relation.  After  this,  and  near  the  hour  of  midnight,  the  majority 
having  left  the  house,  the  minority  appointed  Mr.  George  P.  Strong  as 
Commissioner  to  represent  the  Church,  and  directed  him  to  urge  the  dis- 
solution of  the  pastoral  relation. 

On  the  22d  of  June,  1863,  another  meeting  of  Pine  Street  Church  was 
held,  when  it  was  resolved,  by  a  large  majority,  that  unless  Mr.  George 
P.  Strong,  as  the  Commissioner  of  this  congregation,  can  and  w  ill,  in  good 
faith,  present  and  urge  upon  Presbytery  the  voice  and  wishes  of  the  congre- 
gation as  expressed  by  the  resolution  adopted  on  the  motion  of  Captain 
Greene,  on  a  fair  vote  of  91  to  56,  he  be  requested  to  resign  his  trust  as 
Commissioner. 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  335 

On  the  evening  of  June  23,  1863,  the  Presbytery  met,  and  Dr.  Mc- 
Pheeters,  through  Mr.  Brookes,  asked  leave  to  withdraw  his  resignation  which 
had  been  placed  in  the  hands  of  Presbytery  at  its  pro-re-nata  meeting  on 
the  15th  of  June.  On  motion,  it  was  resolved,  that  he  have  leave  to  with- 
draw his  paper.  Subsequently,  Mr.  Brookes,  acting  for  Dr.  McPheeters, 
and,  as  was  understood,  in  accordance  with  his  wishes,  withdrew  the  request 
to  have  the  Presbytery  consider  the  resignation  not  in  their  hands,  and  left 
the  whole  matter  to  be  decided  by  them  as  they  might  deem  best.  Upon 
this  Presbytery  dissolved  the  relation. 

On  the  6th  of  April,  1S64,  Presbytery,  meeting  under  special  military 
order  No.  62,  and  consisting  of  18  members  out  of  about  60,  and  at  the 
request  of  only  9  members  of  Pine  Street  Church  out  of  a  membership  of 
308,  ordered  Dr.  McPheeters  to  abstain  from  further  occupancy  of  Pine 
Street  pulpit,  to  which  he  had  been  invited  by  his  Session  and  a  large  ma- 
jority of  his  Church  during  the  pendency  of  his  case  before  the  Superior 
courts.     Therefore,  j-esolved, 

I..  That  the  action  restraining  Dr.  McPheeters  from  preaching  in  the  Pine 
Street  Church   be,  and  is  now,  revoked. 

2.  That  we  extend  our  sincerest  sympathy  to  Dr.  McPheeters  in  any  trial 
and  suffering  he  may  have  endured  consequent  upon  the  dissolution  of  the 
pastoral  relation  between  him  and  the  Pine  Street  Church,  and  also  that  we 
do  disclaim  any  intention  of  personal  unkindness  to  him  in  any  action  on 
the  part  of  this  Presbytery. 

3.  That  the  conduct  of  Mr.  Strong,  in  persisting  to  represent  the  Church 
contrary  to  the  will  of  the  majority,  and  the  action  of  Presbytery  in  per- 
mitting him  to  appear  before  them  as  the  Church  representative,  merit  the 
strongest  disapprobation  of  Presbytery. 

Morover,  it  is  but  simple  justice  to  record  that  at  the  first 
opportunity  which  presented  itself,  after  the  removal  of  bayo- 
nets, the  Pine  Street  congregation,  by  an  overwhelming  majority, 
made  an  earnest  and  heartfelt  call  upon  Dr.  McPheeters  to  re- 
turn and  minister  as  pastor  to  the  people  from  whom,  contrary 
to  their  wishes,  he  had  been  unrighteously  torn  by  the  cruel 
hand  of  ecclesiastico-military  power.  This  call  was  forwarded 
to  Dr.  McPheeters  in  the  spring  of  1866.  He  determined  at 
once  to  visit  St.  Louis.     The  reunion  was  cordial  and  delight- 


336  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    M'PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

ful,  but,  after  prayerful  consideration,  he  wisely  concluded  that 
a  wasted  physical  system  could  no  longer  be  adequate  to  the 
urgent  demands  of  so  important  a  charge  in  a  large  and  grow- 
ing city.  The  invitation,  so  tenderly  and  generously  offered, 
was  therefore  declined. 

Winter,  spring  and  summer  of  another  year,  1866,  glided 
peacefully  by  as  "  this  Disciple  whom  Jesus  loved"  visited 
from  house  to  house,  and  on  every  Sabbath  day  dispensed  the 
gospel  of  the  grace  of  God,  in  its  sweetness  and  simplicity,  to 
a  company  of  solemn  and  eager  listeners.  But  when  the 
autumn  came  the  physician  enjoined  the  preacher,  and  he  was 
compelled  to  modify  his  plan  of  labor.  Dr.  McPheeters,  now 
confined  to  bed,  yearned  with  no  less  insatiable  desire  over  the 
souls  committed  to  his  charge.  Hence,  when  he  could  go  no 
more  out,  the  chamber  where  the  pastor  lay  was  turned  into 
a  Bethel.  The  congregation  might  come  to  him  if  he  could 
not  go  to  them.  Bible  classes  were  formed,  prayer  meetings 
established,  and  these  were  followed  by  exhortations  which  can 
never  be  forgotten.  At  every  meeting  the  frail,  wan  laborer 
went  forth  weeping,  sowing  precious  seed.  He  sowed  beside 
all  waters,  in  dark  days  as  in  bright,  "  giving  a  portion  to  seven 
and  also  to  eight."  The  people  saw  and  heard  with  amaze- 
ment as  the  truth  fell  with  such  power  from  the  lips  of  this  sick 
and  suffering  man. 

During  the  winter  and  spring  of  1867  it  became  manifest 
that  the  glory  of  the  Lord  was  about  to  fill  the  Tabenacle. 
Faithful  ones  began  to  cry,  "  Oh !  that  we  knew  where  we 
might  find  Him,  that  we  might  come  even  to  His  seat,"  whilst 
there  were  certain  stricken  souls  that  knelt  at  the  bedside  of 
the  pastor  and  said,  "  Sir,  we  would  see  Jesus."  The  things 
which  came  to  pass  there  in  those  days  deeply  impressed  the 
thoughtful,  and  all  were  amazed  at  the  mighty  power  of  God. 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  337' 

Surely  here  was  no  strange  fire  offered  on  the  Lord's  altars,  but 
"  the  entrance  of  God's  word  gave  light." 

In  the  midst  of  this  precious  season  of  revival  the  steps  of 
an  evangelist  were  turned  in  the  direction  of  Mulberry.  The 
sick  and  wearied  pastor  needed  help,  now  that  the  fields  were 
white,  and  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  provided  a  laborer 
to  go  in  for  a  season  to  reap  in  the  harvest.  Rev.  Robert 
Nail  came  at  a  favorable  moment.  The  way  was  thoroughly 
prepared,  and  many  hearts  waited  with  desire  "  for  the  king- 
dom of  God."  Dr.  Nail  preached  for  several  days  to  the 
congregation,  and  then  went  forward  to  other  appointments. 
But  the  interest  steadily  increased,  and  "  the  word  of  God 
grew  and  multipUed."  On  the  nth  of  May  Dr.  McPheeters 
addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  brother  who  had  assisted 
him: 

"  You  requested  to  hear  from  us  after  our  meeting  to-day, 
and  I  drop  you  a  line.  The  meeting  was  largely  attended — 
room  full ;  several  young  men  present  who  did  not  attend  the 
first  meeting.  Brother  Grasty  happened  to  be  here  and 
assisted  me.  I  explained  the  plan  of  salvation  in  a  simple, 
earnest  way,  and  pressed  upon  them,  in  a  calm  manner,  the 
necessity  of  closing  at  once  with  the  offer  of  Christ.  Brother 
Grasty  followed  with  a  few  very  appropriate  remarks.  I  never 
saw  a  more  solemnly  thoughtful  assembly.  After  detaining 
them  as  long  as  I  felt  it  right  I  dismissed  the  meeting,  inviting 
them  to  call  and  see  me  individually  at  such  times  as  they 
could.  But  hardly  one  moved ;  many  wept  aloud ;  and  one 
by  one  they  came  and,  sitting  by  me,  laid  open  their  hearts  to 
me,  asking  for  instruction  and  prayer.  I  have  never  seen  any- 
thing like  it.  Many  found  hope — how  many  I  can  not  say — 
others  seemed  '  to  see  men  as  trees  walking.' 

"The  meeting  did  not  adjourn  until  the  Elder  came  and  told 
22 


338  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

them  it  was  time  to  disperse.  Many  made  engagements  to  see 
me  to-morrow.  Some,  who  were  formerly  members  of  the 
Church,  but  backsHding,  were  here  deeply  affected,  desiring 
prayers  and  instruction.  My  heart  is  full.  My  cup  runneth 
over.  It  was  of  the  Lord  that  you  were  sent  here,  and  we  will 
always  remember  it  with  gratitude  and  joy.  May  the  blessing 
of  God,  sent  us  by  you,  return  tenfold  on  you.  I  still  do  not 
know  if  I  may  expect  Dr.  Robinson  next  Sunday  week  (third 
Sunday).  If  you  can  do  so,  see  him  and  urge  his  coming,  if 
possible." 

Elder  John  C.  Brown,  in  a  postscript,  adds : 

''  It  was  the  most  impressive  scene  of  my  life.  At  the  hour 
the  young  people  came  in,  almost  by  families,  to  the  number  of 
22,  and  surrounded  our  dear  pastor's  bed.  He  prayed  and  sung 
and  gave  us  one  of  the  most  impressive  exhortations,  setting 
forth  the  plan  of  salvation  in  its  clearest  light,  occupying  about 
an  hour  or  so,  and  dismissed.  A  few  of  us  got  up  to  go,  but 
the  anxious  stood  in  the  room.  The  Lord  was  there.  They 
gathered  around  our  pastor's  bed  and  knelt  down.  He  would 
take  them  by  the  hand,  some  in  the  deepest  distress  and  some 
rejoicing  in  hope.  O,  I  never  heard  our  Master  set  forth  so 
impressively  and  with  such  unction.  They  came  up  two  or 
three  at  a  time  and  knelt  by  his  bed,  until  almost  the  last  one 
came  up.  We  had  prayer  again ;  then  he  prayed  for  them. 
O,  it  would  have  delighted  your  soul  to  have  been  there. 
When  I  got  them  to  leave  I  went  to  the  Doctor  to  know  if  he 
was  exhausted.  '  O,'  he  said,  '  I  am  better,  and  not  the  least 
exhausted.'  O,  sir,  if  you  could  have  seen  that  man  of  God 
lying  on  his  back,  with  his  long  gray  beard,  and  his  hands 
stretched  to  heaven,  and  the  love  of  God  impressed  on  his 
countenance,  pleading  with  his  Savior  for  sinners,  it  would  have 
left  impressions  that  could  never  have  been  erased.     I  have 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 


339 


tried  to  describe  the  scene,  but  it  is  a  failure.  May  the  Lord 
bless  you  in  your  labors." 

At  the  memorable  scene  described  above  the  writer  was 
present,  and  he  very  much  doubts  if  at  that  hour,  in  all  this 
sin-burdened  world,  there  could  be  found  a  holier  spot  than  the 
chamber  of  this  faithful  witness  for  the  truth  of  Jesus,  as  the 
glory  of  God  descended  and  the  Shekinah  dwelt  between  the 
wings  of  the  cherubim  which  overshadowed  the  mercy-seat. 
The  pastor  unfolded  in  earnest,  solemn,  simple  words  the 
scheme  of  redemption.  His  utterance  was  often  choked  and 
the  tears  flowed  freely  as  he  expatiated  upon  the  person,  work 
and  loveliness  of  Christ.  He  told  the  weary  and  heavy-laden 
that  "  the  doing  was  all  done,"  and  that  the  Master  "  stood  and 
called."  He  turned  over  and  over  again,  in  one  apt  illustra- 
tion after  another,  the  sinner's  guilt  and  inabiHty,  while  the 
burdened  soul  was  pointed,  with  ineffable  yearning  and  tender- 
ness, to  the  Lamb  of  God  who  takes  away  the  sin  of  the 
world.  The  distressed  and  weeping  ones  around  the  couch  of 
the  minister  were  urged  to  submit  at  once  to  the  righteousness 
of  God,  to  venture  wholly  upon  Christ.  And  with  many  other 
words  did  he  testify  and  exhort,  saying,  "  Save  yourselves  from 
this  untoward  generation."  Many  gladly  received  his  word, 
fear  came  upon  every  soul,  and  the  glory  of  God  filled  the 
house.  Not  a  few  will  take  with  them  to  the  grave  the  memory 
of  the  gracious  words  which  were  spoken  that  day ;  and  how 
the  under-shepherd,  in  imitation  of  the  Master,  "  beginning  at 
Moses  and  all  the  Prophets,  expounded  unto  them  in  all  the 
Scriptures  the  things  concerning  Jesus,  until  the  hearts  of  these 
Disciples  burned  within  them  as  he  talked  with  them  by  the 
way." 

These  things  came  to  pass  at  Mulberry  in  the  spring  of  1867. 
For  weary   months,   by   command  of  physicians,   the  pastor 


340  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

reclined  upon  an  invalid  bed  in  the  fond  hope  that  this  mechan- 
ical position  might  so  far  relieve  the  ailing  part  as  to  open  up 
a  natural  prospect  for  future  and  permanent  restoration.  But, 
alas !  these  expectations  were  baffled.  The  mind  of  the  pastor 
was  perplexed.  The  congregation,  now  more  than  ever,  needed 
a  minister  to  go  in  and  out  among  them  to  break  the  bread  of 
life.  The  exigencies  of  the  fold,  at  this  hour,  required  a  watchful 
hand  to  lead  the  new-born  lambs  in  "  green  pastures  beside  the 
gendy  flowing  streams."  Is  the  present  pastor,  shut  in  his 
chamber,  sufficient  for  these  things  ?  The  question  oppressed 
his  mind,  and  Dr.  McPheeters  seriously  and  conscientiously 
meditated  a  resignation.  But  when  his  thoughts  upon  this 
subject  were  laid  bare  to  the  Elders,  it  was  ascertained  that  a 
step  of  this  nature  would  be  productive  only  of  sorrow  and 
consternation  to  a  confiding  and  satisfied  people.  Throughout 
the  entire  congregation  there  was  not  a  whisper  of  discontent, 
but  every  one,  from  the  oldest  to  the  youngest,  preferred  their 
present  noble,  wise  and  loving  minister,  "  with  his  often  infirmi- 
ties," to  any  other  "  overseer  "  the  Church  could  bestow.  In 
the  meantime^  however,  the  preacher  was  quietly  revolving  a 
scheme  of  his  own.  It  has  been  seen  already  how  the  Bible 
class  and  prayer  meeting  were  statedly  held  in  the  room  of  the 
pastor,  while  every  member  of  the  flock  was  invited,  without 
limit,  to  enter  the  door  of  the  manse ;  and  now,  with  these 
matters  arranged  and  perfected,  only  one  thing  more  could  be 
indispensable  to  a  complete  organization — this  was  the  preached 
Word,  on  the  Sabbath  day,  in  the  sanctuary  itself  Could  this 
be  accomplished  ?  The  pastor  had  his  plans.  Though  sorely 
afflicted  bodily,  the  voice  of  the  preacher  remained  clear  and 
strong.  He  could  not  stand  or  sit,  but  why  could  he  not  preach 
to  the  people  in  a  recumbent  posture  ?  At  any  rate,  this  method 
should  be  tried.     Straightway  the  purpose  is  announced  and 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  34 1 

preparations  made.  Laid  upon  a  well-fitting  lounge,  the  pastor 
is  taken  up  by  careful  hands  and  lifted  into  an  ambulance  made 
ready  at  the  door.  Slowly  and  carefully  the  vehicle  moves 
forward  to  the  little  church  that  stands  off  yonder,  two  miles, 
in  the  forest.  The  house  of  God  is  reached  safely,  and  the 
minister,  without  serious  discomfort,  finds  himself  once  again 
face  to  face  with  the  assembly  of  the  saints.  The  people  are 
amazed,  but  the  heart  of  the  pastor  is  filled  with  joy.  Just 
there,  in  front  of  the  pulpit,  on  a  lowly  bed,  the  preacher  dis- 
coursed of  the  great  salvation  till  even  the  old  and  gray-headed 
"  glorified  God,  saying,  we  never  saw  it  on  this  wise." 

This  experiment  surpassed  the  expectations  of  the  most 
sanguine.  And  now,  that  the  way  was  opened  to  the  sanctuary, 
the  pastor's  heart  overflo\T'ed  with  gratitude.  When  the  Sabbath 
day  came,  no  ordinary  difficulty  could  keep  him  home.  He 
did  not  "  regard  the  clouds."  The  prospect  of  reunion  with 
his  people  in  the  "holy  place"  on  Sabbath  day  imparted 
strength  for  all  the  burdens  of  the  week.  A  shade  of  gloom 
or  disappointment  rarely  ever  passed  over  his  countenance  ex- 
cept when  some  occurrence  "  at  feeding  time "  detained  the 
shepherd  from  his  flock.  He  felt  the  poorer  if  even  one  oppor- 
tunity was  lost.  To  preach  Christ  and  Him  crucified  was  the 
joy  and  crown  of  this  man's  life.  And  now,  that  so  many  days 
in  God's  house  had  been  foregone  on  account  of  bodily  in- 
firmity, the  preacher  regarded  the  present  and  future  with  a 
holy  jealousy.  He  remarked  to  an  Elder :  "  Brother  Brown, 
there  was  a  time  when  it  gave  me  great  pleasure  to  welcome  a 
minister  to  my  pulpit,  but  now  when  a  brother  preaches  for  me 
I  feel  that  he  has  taken  the  bread  out  of  my  7?ioiitK'  Such  was 
the  zeal  of  a  prophet  of  the  Lord  in  these  days.  Trials  only 
made  the  promise  sweet.  And  as  the  broken  alabaster-box  of 
ointment  very  precious  poured  upon  the  head  of  Jesus  in  the 


342  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

house  of  Simon  the  leper  filled  the  room  with  its  costly  odor, 
so  the  life  of  this  martyr,  crushed  out  by  persecution,  yields 
a  gracious  fragrance  which  shall  animate  the  Church  of  God 
for  many  days.  On  the  other  hand,  "  suffering  only  made  his 
crown  more  splendid — gave  it  a  majesty  of  shine  and  an  im- 
perial glory." 

After  sermon  Sabbath  morning  it  was  delightful  to  witness 
the  interest  which  every  one  manifested  about  the  comfort  of 
"  the  Doctor,"  as  the  pastor  was  almost  universally  called. 
Young  and  old  must  gain  a  shake  of  the  hand  and  hear  it  from 
the  minister's  own  lips  that  the  labors  of  the  day  had  not  dis- 
tressed or  overtaxed  him.  There  stood  at  his  head  a  mother 
in  Israel,  yonder  at  his  feet  a  gentle  child  waiting  the  genial 
summons,  while  all  around  were  loving  hearts  vying  with  each 
other  in  offices  of  kindness.  That  was  the  favored  young  man 
who  stood  nearest  to  the  "  Doctor  "  when  the  narrow  bed  with 
its  cherished  occupant  had  to  be  lifted  into  the  ambulance  pre- 
paratory to  the  journey  homeward.  Mulberry  parsonage  was 
a  spot  toward  which  the  step  even  of  a  stranger  was  attracted 
in  those  days.  The  fame  of  the  good  man  spread  abroad  and 
the  passer-by  felt  constrained  to  turn  in  and  behold  the  coun- 
tenance of  one  whose  manner  of  life  was  such  a  strange  rebuke 
in  a  generation  overburdened  with  evil  devices.  And  no  one 
who  entered  that  dwelling  for  an  hour  can  ever  forget  the  im- 
pressions made  by  the  prophet  in  his  chamber.  There  lay  a 
figure  emaciated  and  bowed  by  sickness — with  all  reasonable 
prospect  of  restoration  entirely  gone — the  world  and  society  as 
he  once  knew  them  definitely  shut  out,  and  yet  the  counte- 
nance of  that  frail  invalid  not  only  indicates  resignation,  but 
there  is  an  expression  of  peace  and  blessed  satisfaction  that 
excited  wonder  and  admiration  in  every  beholder.  Said  a  man, 
whose  name  is  known  all  through  the  land,  "  I  can  get  over 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  343 

every  argument  in  favor  of  Christianity  but  the  Hfe  of  McPhee- 
ters."  The  writer  remembers  with  joy  and  thankfulness  his  own 
oft-repeated  visits  to  the  parsonage  of  J^Iulberry.  Many  a  time 
has  he  held  long  and  precious  intercourse  with  his  departed 
friend  about  the  "  affairs  of  the  kingdom."  When  he  was 
engaged  upon  the  little  volume,  "  Faith's  Batdes  and  Victories," 
Dr.  McPheeters  manifested  the  liveliest  interest,  and  the  MSS. 
of  that  book,  page  after  page,  underwent  his  careful  inspection, 
and  the  sentiments  throughout  were  heartily  endorsed.  Indeed, 
the  worthies  of  that  olden  time  who,  "  through  faith,  subdued 
kingdoms,  wrought  righteousness,  obtained  promises,  stopped 
the  mouths  of  lions,  quenched  the  violence  of  fire,  escaped  the 
edge  of  the  sword,  out  of  weakness  were  made  strong,  waxed 
valiant  in  fight,  turned  to  flight  the  armies  of  the  ahens,"  was 
the  society  in  which  this  witness  for  truth  in  the  present  day 
delighted  to  linger. 

It  was  not  in  the  company  of  strangers  and  before  the  eye 
of  the  multitude  that  Dr.  McPheeters  appeared  to  the  greatest 
advantage ;  but  in  the  society  of  friends,  in  the  sweet  circle  of 
home,  with  wife  and  children  about  him,  the  husband  and 
father  poured  out  most  freely  the  riches  of  his  noble  nature. 
These  reunions  of  the  household  gave  opportunity  for  wit,  re- 
partee, pathos  and  words  of  wisdom  not  easily  forgotten.  And 
even  when  death  had  done  its  work  the  same  sweetness  of  ex- 
pression lingered  upon  the  features.  Over  and  over  again  a 
gentle  child  stole  sofdy  and  alone  to  the  spot  where  the  body 
lay  and  caressed  with  touching  familiarity  and  affection  the 
remains  of  her  departed  father,  for  the  grim  monster  himself 
could  not  clothe  with  terror  the  fair  palace  where  sympathy  and 
love  had  so  richly  abided.  True,  the  occupant  was  fled,  but 
the  memorials  which  remained  were  endearing  and  precious. 
To  the  daughter,  who  had  so  often  been  folded  in  love,  that 


344  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    MTHEETERS,    D.  D. 

clay  tabernacle,  although  pulseless  and  cold,  could  not  be 
associated  with  a  thought  either  of  repugnance  or  alarm.  With 
a  casket  so  fair,  it  was  difficult  to  believe  that  the  jewel  was 
gone. 

In  August  of  1868,  Louisville  Presbytery  met  in  Shelby ville, 
and  Dr.  McPheeters  attended.  After  his  return  to  Mulberry, 
on  Aug.  25,  he  wrote  to  his  brother,  Dr.  W.  M.  McPheeters. 

My  Dear  Brother  :  While  the  children  are  at  the  Fair  and  it  is  quiet, 
I  will  drop  you  a  line  to  report  on  matters  generally,  though  in  fact  I  have 
but  little  to  say  of  any  importance.  I  continue  to  walk  about  the  house  a 
little  and  go  regularly  to  the  table,  but  I  am  not  able  to  sit  up  long  at  a 
time  and  generally  keep  my  lounge.  I  hardly  know  whether  or  not  I 
should  try  to  sit  up  more  than  I  do.  I  am  very  short  winded,  and  I  think 
if  I  were  to  sit  an  hour,  especially  without  my  brace,  that  it  would  give  me 
pain  in  my  back  or  sides.  I  continue  to  preach  on  my  couch  and  go  out 
visiting  in  the  same  way.  I  have  lately  bought  me  a  very  comfortable  am- 
bulance. ...  I  went  to  Presbytery  last  week,  in  Shelbyville,  on  my 
couch.  It  was  ver^  pleasant  to  meet  the  brethren  once  more.  The  Shelby- 
ville people  expressed  a  strong  desire  to  have  me  preach,  and  had  made  all 
the  arrangements,  but,  of  course,  I  declined,  when  there  were  so  many  on 
their  feet  to  do  it  better.  I  have  no  doubt  there  would  have  been  many 
more  anxious  to  hear  me  if  I  had  stood  on  my  head  and  preached,  than 
wanted  to  hear  a  sermon  from  a  preacher  lying  on  a  couch.  .  .  .  Tell 
Maggie  that  we  have  had  a  great  many  young  people  on  Mulberry  this 
summer,  and  they  have  had  a  gay  time,  especially  at  the  Bird's  nest.    .    .    . 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  345 


CHAPTER    XYIII. 

FINAL     VISIT    TO    ST.    LOU  I  S L  AST    DAYS. 

In  1869,  when  summer  came,  the  distinguished  invalid  was 
urged  by  friends  to  apply  to  the  highest  medical  sources  the 
country  could  furnish.  It  was  thought  by  some  that  if  a  brace 
should  be  fitted  to  the  spine  by  scientific  hands,  the  prospect 
for  comfort,  locomotion  and  final  recovery  might  be  greatly 
enhanced.  At  first  it  was  contemplated  to  call  in  the  services 
of  an  eminent  surgeon  from  the  city  of  New  York.  But,  after 
the  matter,  in  all  its  bearings,  had  been  calmly  considered,  Dr. 
McPheeters  concluded,  on  his  own  judgment,  to  visit  his  old 
congregation  in  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  and  to  rely  upon  the  skill 
of  the  medical  men  there.  This  visit  was  made,  and  the  pastor 
found  himself  once  again  in  the  very  bosom  of  a  flock  from 
whose  embraces  he  had  been  torn,  four  years  before,  by  the 
relentless  decision  of  the  Assembly  of  Newark.  During  his 
four  weeks'  stay  there  were  many  touching  reunions.  The 
scattered  fold  crowded  about  the  bed  of  a  shepherd  who  had 
not  only  fed  them  in  happier  days,  but  who,  in  times  of  peril, 
counted  not  his  own  Hfe  dear  so  that  those  committed  to  his 
care  might  be  saved. 

During  his  sojourn  an  incident  occurred  which  is  not  only 
significant,  but  highly  suggestive.  A  member  of  Pine  Street 
Church  who  joined  in  the  wicked  persecution  of  other  days 
now  came  to  the  couch  of  the  pastor  and  said,  "  Dr.  Mc- 
Pheeters, I  was  glad  when  they  told  me  that  you  were  coming 
to  St.  Louis,  for  I  wanted  to  see  you  face  to  face  once  more 


346  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

in  this  world.  I  was  just  seriously  meditating  a  visit  to  Ken- 
tucky for  this  very  purpose.  I  was  one  of  your  persecutors, 
and  the  thought  of  it  has  weighed  heavily  on  my  conscience. 
I  come  now  to  confess  all  and  to  beg  an  injured  man's  forgive- 
ness." Dr.  McPheeters,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  replied:  "I 
forgive  you  with  all  my  heart,  as  I  hope  to  be  forgiven ;  but  I 
wish  all  men  to  understand,  that  now,  after  four  years  for  calm 
thought,  I  hold  to  every  doctrine  and  principle  for  which  I  have 
testified  in  the  past.  My  views  in  this  respect  have  not  under- 
gone the  slightest  change." 

During  this  visit  friends  were  kind  and  physicians  did  their 
utmost,  but  the  shaft  of  disease  had  gone  down  too  deep,  and 
the  results  were  not  satisfactory.  When  the  allotted  time  ex- 
pired Dr.  McPheeters  made  ready  to  depart,  "  and  they  all 
wept  sore,"  sorrowing  most  of  all  because  they  should  see  his 
face  no  more. 

The  pastor  is  now  once  again  in  his  quiet  home  at  Mulberry. 
The  physical  frame  was  rapidly  wearing  out,  and  a  conscious- 
ness that  the  shadows  were  lengthening  quickened  the  purpose 
of  the  laborer  to  work  while  it  was  day.  "  A  Httle  while  "  and 
he  whose  life  has  been  as  "  a  garden  of  spices  "  shall'  go  to  his 
place,  and  the  "  world  will  seem  poorer."  All  through  the 
autumn  of  1869,  and  far  into  the  winter  of  1870,  the  pastor 
labored  steadily  on.  Not  until  the  month  of  February  did  "  the 
grasshopper  become  a  burden."  The  hand  upon  the  dial- 
plate  of  God's  ordination  now  pointed  to  the  hour  when  the 
last  sermon  of  this  man  should  be  preached.  The  text  was 
Luke  xii.  16-21;  the  subject,  *' The  rich  fool."  The  discourse 
ended,  the  pastor  carefully  folded  the  MSS.,  and,  turning  to 
Elder  John  Brown,  said,  "  Here,  take  this ;  I  give  it  to  you." 
This  preacher,  neither  here  nor  elsewhere,  will  ever  need  a 
manuscript    more.     His    commission    within    these   walls   is 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETRS,    D.  D.  347 

finished.  He  goes  forth  hence  to  work  in  other  fields.  Here 
is  food  for  solemn  thought,  if  the  wicked  world  would  think. 
O,  ye  gentle  friends,  gather  to-day  at  the  couch  of  your  pastor, 
for  it  is  the  last  time.  The  young  men  shall  bear  him  out 
presently,  and  he  will  return  again  only  when  the  "  silver  cord 
is  loosed  and  the  golden  bowl  is  broken."  Five  years  ago  he 
came  to  the  people  here  with  God's  message  on  his  lips.  The 
words  which  were  given  him  to  speak  have  been  spoken,  and 
the  angel,  in  the  Book  of  God,  has  made  the  fearful  entry. 
The  past  is  now  gone,  and  neither  principalities  nor  powers  can 
recall  a  single  Sabbath,  with  opportunity  to  improve  its  once 
neglected  privileges.  O,  ye  listless  ones,  if  the  voice  of  the 
beloved  pastor  has  not  been  heard  in  the  sanctuary  in  months 
that  have  fled,  ponder  it  solemnly  now,  for  that  slowly  moving 
wagon  yonder  takes  away  a  watchman  whose  warning  voice 
shall  never  again  be  lifted  in  any  assembly  of  earth. 

The  next  few  weeks  were  filled  with  anxiety.  The  news 
flew  that  "  the  Doctor  "  was  failing  rapidly.  The  parsonage 
v,ras  besieged  day  after  day  with  eager  inquirers.  In  the  mean- 
while Dr.  Frederick,  the  beloved  physician — endeared  to  the 
whole  household  by  oft-repeated  acts  of  kindness,  and  whose 
professional  treatment  of  Dr.  McPheeters  had  been  endorsed 
by  men  of  the  highest  scientific  attainment — intermitted  no 
effort  to  eradicate  disease  and  alleviate  sufiering.  But  what 
can  skill  or  science  do  when  the  voice  of  God  and  the  law  of 
nature  rise  and  combine  against  it  ?  The  hour  had  come.  The 
malady  progresses  steadily. 

There  were  periods  when  Dr.  McPheeters  suffered  greatly. 
The  vessel  was  breaking  in  every  part.  No  strength  remained. 
Mrs.  McPheeters  says  :  "  On  Saturday  night,  the  6th  of  March, 
my  husband  began  to  sink  rapidly,  and  speedy  dissolution 
seemed  to  be  indicated.     When  he  saw  the  distress  on  my 


348  ■  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

countenance  he  calmly  said,  and  with  authority,  *  My  wife,  stay 
yourself  on  the  Lord.'  For  several  hours  during  that  night, 
after  this  remark,  he  apparently  fell  into  a  half  dreamy  state ; 
his  pulse  gone,  and  all  hope  gone  that  he  would  last  till  morning. 
During  the  time  I  aroused  him,  repeating  those  words  of  Jesus, 
'  Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled.'  When  I  came  to  the  words, 
'  I  will  come  again  and  receive  you  unto  myself,'  he  said, 
'  That's  true,  my  dear  wife ;  but  if  it  is  God's  will  I  will  remain 
with  you  awhile  longer.'  Then,  turning  to  the  doctor,  he  said, 
'A  servant  should  be  at  his  Master's  command,  willing  to  go  if 
he  bid,  willing  to  stay  if  he  bid.  That's  right ;  is  it  not.  Doctor  ?' 
I  then  asked  him  if  he  would  like  for  Dr.  Hill  to  pray  with  him. 
He  replied,  '  Yes,'  and  meekly  folded  his  hands.  The  Doctor 
asked  if  he  heard  him.  He  answered,  '  Yes.'  He  then  closed 
his  eyes,  and  in  a  half  waking  condition  was  again  among  his 
people  in  St.  Louis,  moderating  a  meeting  for  them — calling 
some  of  them  by  name.  Soon  after  this  his  sleep  became  quiet, 
his  pulse  returned,  and  when  he  awoke  again,  though  death 
with  its  relentless  grasp  held,  without  dispute,  control  in  his 
body,  the  mind  which  had  been  for  so  many  years  the  light  of 
his  household  was  free  and  unclouded,  and  during  the  whole 
day  the  fi?iishi7ig  of  his  faith  by  the  great  Author  of  it  was 
grand  to  look  upon.  A  friend  who  watched  him  hourly  from 
that  dark  Saturday  night  till  his  eyes  were  closed  in  death  said, 
'  I  hate  to  go  back  again  from  this  room  to  the  world ;'  feeling 
that  in  that  room  he  had  stood  so  near  the  gate  to  the  Celestial 
City  and  caught  such  glimpses  of  its  glory  that,  with  the  great 
dreamer,  he  had  almost  wished  himself  among  them  there." 

On  Sunday  morning  he  seemed  to  rally  a  little,  and  at  his 
request  was  sung — 

"  Mercy,  O  thou  Son  of  David." 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  340 

He  said,  "  How  I  love  that  old  tune ;  and  the  words,  how 
they  cover  me  all  over  with  glory  as  they  dovetail  in  with  each 
other.'  While  they  sang  "  Rock  of  Ages,"  he  expressed,  by 
the  motion  and  pressure  of  his  hand,  his  pleasure  and  concur- 
rence in  the  petitions.  He  then  began  to  speak  of  all  the 
glory  and  greatness  of  Christ  as  a  Savior,  and  seemed  to  labor 
for  words  expressive  enough  of  his  convictions  of  Christ's 
greatness  as  a  Savior;  and,  as  though  taking  this  opportunity  to 
leave  his  final  testimony,  he  said :  "  Now,  I  am  in  no  ecstasy, 
nor  under  excitement  of  any  kind,  but  calm  as  if  I  were  writing 
a  business  paper;  and  I  say  Jesus  Christ  is  just  such  a  Savior 
as,  intellectually,  spiritually  and  infinitely,  meets  my  full  appro- 
bation. He  is  my  infinite,  ijififiite  trust ;  this  (raising  his  hand 
as  one  testifying  in  Court)  is  my  testimony,  living  or  dying." 

He  spoke  cheerfully  and  tenderly  to  the  children  and  young 
people,  and  in  that  peculiar  method  which  marked  his  utter- 
ances in  days  of  health  he  sent  his  messages.  Referring  to  a 
dearly  beloved  sister  in  North  Carolina,  afflicted  in  a  somewhat 
similar  manner  as  himself,  he  said :  "  Write  sister  Kate  and  tell 
her,  from  me,  not  to  allow  herself  to  be  worried  and  frightened 
by  the  stories  she  hears  of  the  horrors  and  darkness  of  dying ; 
that  I  say  there  is  not  a  word  of  truth  in  it,  for  I  am  now  at 
the  very  place  myself  and,  with  Jesus  here,  find  it  a  happy  way. 
And  I  say  this  not  because  I  am  a  good  man,  for  I  am  not, 
but  only  a  poor,  miserable  sinner;  yet  I  have  such  a  mighty 
Savior — mighty  and  glorious  —  with  His  own  eternal  arms 
around  me.  And  He  did  not  just  begin  to  love  me  lately,  but 
before,  when  yet  a  sinner,  and  before  and  before — back  into 
eternity." 

"  Tell  Robinson,"  was  another  message,  "  I  want  him  to 
preach  my  funeral,  and  not  to  have  any  stuff  about  me  in  it ; 
let  it  all  be  about  Christ."     When  John  Brown,  Jr.,  whom  he 


35©  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

ever  addressed  in  affectionate  playfulness  as  "  Mr.  Johnny," 
came  in,  he  remarked,  speaking  to  him  of  the  goodness  of  his 
Savior:  "  The  only  care  I  have  had,  Mr.  Johnny,  as  I  approached 
this  hour,  was  leaving  my  wife  and  children,  and  He  is  so  good 
He  has  taken  all  that  away,  so  that  I  can  leave  them  with  Him. 
O,  it  is  not  that  I  am  good,  for  I  am  such  a  sinner,  but  I  have 
such  a  mighty  Savior !  Johnny,  study  the  Bible  closely  and 
you  will  find  what  a  mighty  Savior  He  is." 

When  the  poor  colored  servant  came  to  his  bedside,  saying, 
"  Master,  I  am  sorry  to  see  you  suffer  so,"  he  said,  taking  her 
hand,  "  Yes,  Phoebe,  I  am  suffering,  but  Jesus  gives  me  songs 
in  the  night  and  helps  me  to  suffer  joyfully,  joyfully,  and  He 
will  do  just  the  same  for  you,  Phoebe,  if  you  will  do  just  like 
me.  When  you  sin,  go  and  ask  Him  and  He  will  blot  it  all  out, 
and  when  you  sin  again  (for  you  will  sin),  then  just  go  again. 
I  have  been  a  great  sinner,  and  sometimes  felt  much  ashamed 
to  have  to  go  back  so  often  to  ask  Him  to  blot  out  more  sins ; 
but  He  always  did  it.  Now,  remember  this  way  of  doing  with 
sin,  Phoebe,  and  you  will  be  able,  like  me,  to  suffer  joyfully." 

On  Sunday  night  he  seemed  to  be  sinking  rapidly,  and  when 
sympathy  was  expressed,  he  whispered,  "  Jesus  is  leading  me ; 
He  will  lead  me  all  right."  And  through  the  night  and  during 
the  forenoon  of  Monday,  though  most  of  the  time  in  dreamy 
half  delirium,  he  was  often  heard  whispering,  "All  is  well; 
peace,  peace."  In  the  afternoon  he  said  to  his  wife :  "  The 
doctor  has  told  me  all  along  that  death  is  near,  but  I  did  not 
feel  so  till  now ;  I  am  now  conscious  that  I  am  going  away. 
I  wish  you,  dear  wife,  to  take  the  children  and  use  your  best 
judgment.  Ask  Christ  to  help  you,  and  I  am  going  to  ask 
Him,  too."  The  arrival  of  his  brother.  Dr.  W.  M.  McPheeters, 
on  the  evening  of  this  day  greatly  comforted  him. 

During  the  early  part  of  Tuesday  he  was  thought  to  be  about 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  35 1 

to  die  immediately,  but  he  rallied  again  about  noon  and  in  the 
evening  was  able  to  converse  in  a  whisper  with  his  friend  Dr. 
Robinson,  who  had  just  arrived.  "  I  am  so  glad,  Robinson," 
was  his  salutation,  "  that  you  got  here  before  I  got  away.  I 
longed  to  see  you,  but  did  not  think  I  would."  And,  in  response 
to  the  remark  of  his  friend  expressing  regret  at  the  shortening 
of  a  ministry  so  much  blessed,  as  he  had  lately  seen  the  evidence 
of  it  in  St.  Louis  engraved  in  the  life  and  character  of  many 
children  of  God,  he  whispered,  "  Yes,  the  Lord  has  kept  being 
so  good  to  me  in  that  way  that  it  humbles  me  in  the  dust  that 
I  should  be  such  an  ungrateful  sinner." 

Subsequently,  calling  Dr.  Robinson  to  his  bedside  again,  he 
said :  "  I  have  loved  you  with  a  true  heart-love  as  one  that  has 
testified  with  me  for  Christ  as  the  glorious  King  and  Head  in 
His  Church ;  Christ  as  the  Lord  our  righteousness,  obeying  for 
us,  suffering  the  curse  for  us,  doing  all  for  us ;  and  I  want  you 
to  give  my  charge  to  all  the  brethren  to  hold  up  Christ  faith- 
fully. Tell  them  that,  after  preaching  the  Gospel  more  than 
twenty  years  and  believing  it  to  be  true,  now  I  hiow  it  to  be 
true,  and  that  He  is  mighty  to  save,  as  He  has  said  He  is. 
Now,  pray  again  with  me;  then  good-bye." 

Shordy  after  this  he  dropped  into  apparent  unconsciousness, 
and  so  continued  generally  till  morning,  when  his  friend  Dr.  S. 
R.  Wilson  visited  him.  Dr.  Wilson  says :  "  I  spent  the  Wed- 
nesday on  which  he  died  by  his  bedside.  When  I  entered  his 
room,  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  he  said  to  me :  '  I  am 
glad  to  see  you ;  it  always  gives  me  pleasure  to  see  you.  I  am 
glad  to  have  fought  by  your  side  for  the  truth.'  I  said,  '  You  are 
going  to  get  your  release  from  service  sooner  than  the  rest  of 
us.'  '  Yes,'  he  replied  with  emphasis.  I  said  to  him,  '  You  have 
had  a  hard  conflict,  but  it  is  now  over  and  you  are  going  for 
your  reward.'    '  Yes,'  he  answered,  '  I  have  fought  a  good  fight 


352  MEMOIR   OF    S,    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

and  have  kept  the  faith ;'  and  then,  after  a  short  pause,  added : 
'After  all,  God  is  all  and  Christ  is  all.*  He  then  turned  over 
and  appeared  very  much  exhausted  by  the  effort  of  speaking. 
Through  the  day  he  lay  quiet,  and  breathing  easily;  knew  every 
one  that  came  in  to  see  him  and  spoke  to  them,  though  in  a 
faint  whisper.  Being  under  the  necessity  of  returning  to  the 
city,  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  family  came  into 
the  room,  and  I  asked  if  I  should  pray  with  him.  He  signi- 
fied his  assent  by  the  inclination  of  his  head  and  a  soft  whisper. 
When  we  arose  from  our  knees  I  asked  him  if  he  could  hear 
and  follow  me  in  the  prayer.  He  replied  '  Yes.'  I  took  his 
hand  and  said,  'Brother  McPheeters,  I  must  now  leave  you; 
good-bye.  We  will  meet  in  a  better  country.  We  will  meet 
in  the  New  Jerusalem.'  He  gently  inclined  his  head  as  he  held 
my  hand  and  said,  with  distinctness  and  emphasis,  'Amen.' " 

Occasionally  his  whispers  became  articulate  and  reached  the 
ear.  They  were  "  peace,  peace."  As  he  had  before  said  to 
his  beloved  wife  and  brother,  "  Christ  commands  it  to  rain, 
and  it  does  rain  down  peace,  peace — wonderfully,  powerfully." 
His  last  whisper,  caught  in  snatches  by  a  young  friend,  was 
"  To  live  is  Christ,  to  die  is  gain."  And  a  little  after,  on  this 
9th  day  of  March,  1870,  Samuel  Brown  McPheeters  fell  asleep 
in  Jesus,  and  another  spirit  joined  the  noble  army  of  martyrs 
and  confessors  in  the  paradise  of  God. 

The  scene  at  Mulberry  on  Friday  can  never  be  forgotten. 
There  lay  the  noble  form  of  the  faithful  pastor  chilled  in  death ; 
but  even  on  the  now  pallid  countenance  lingered  an  expression 
of  solemn  joy.  Around  this  central  figure  crowded  the  favored 
people  who  had  listened  often  to  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of 
God  as  it  once  so  sweetly  distilled  from  those  lips  which  are 
mute  and  sealed  forever.  That  servant  of  Jesus  Christ  was 
persecuted  by  those  "  who  hold  the  truth  in  unrighteousness," 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    MTHEETERS,    D.  D.  353 

and  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  put  honor  on  the  Mulberry 
congregation,  as  He  did  upon  the  widow  of  Zarephath,  when 
He  commanded  Ehjah  to  dwell  in  her  house;  and  the  people  to 
whom  this  faithful  witness  came  gained  renown  for  themselves 
and  their  posterity,  in  that  they  lovingly  received  the  exiled 
prophet  and  divided  unto  him,  without  stint,  of  "  their  meal 
and  their  oil."  On  Wednesday  last,  those  wounds,  inflicted  by 
cruel  hands,  had  repined  into  death.  The  spirit  of  the  noble 
martyr  passed  into  that  country  where  the  wicked  cease  from 
troubling  and  the  weary  are  at  rest.  To-day,  all  hearts  are 
stricken.  A  whole  community  assemble,  as  one  household,  to 
bear  with  gentle  hands  to  its  silent  resting  place  the  remains 
of  one  whose  very  dust  is  more  precious  than  jewels.  The 
writer  never  witnessed  such  a  scene.  From  the  child  of  tender 
years  to  the  hoary  head,  every  one  was  a  mourner.  The  spec- 
tacle, too,  was  inspiring  and  grand,  for  heaven  and  earth 
came  together,  and  the  ground  on  which  we  trod  was  holy. 
Kings  have  their  flatterers,  conquerors  their  menials,  but  it  re- 
mains for  the  Christian  pastor  to  exhibit  a  life  and  a  death  that 
extracts  the  tribute  of  affection  and  lamentation  from  every 
good  man  in  society,  from  the  highest  down  to  the  very  lowest. 
The  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Stuart  Robinson, 
from  Hebrews  xi.  4 :  "By  it  he  (Abel)  being  dead,  yet  speaketh." 
It  would  not  be  fair  to  attempt  even  so  much  as  an  outline  of 
this  masterly  discourse,  which  enchained  the  audience  for  more 
than  an  hour.  It  evidently  gave  strong  consolation  to  those 
who  were  bewildered  by  the  early  decease  of  the  gifted  and  in-- 
fluential  pastor.  The  great  truth  was  unfolded  that  the  grace: 
of  God  is  oftentimes  more  magnified  in  the  death  of  His: 
saints  than  even  in  their  lives,  of  which  truth  the  text  gives- 
a  remarkable  example.  For  in  the  accepted  sacrifice  of  Abel', 
and  in  the  martyrdom  which  followed,  the  voice  of  salv-ationv 

23 


354  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

by  grace  resounded  through  the  ages  in  more  distinct  and 
louder  tones  than  would  ever  have  issued  from  the  living  lips 
of  Abel  sacrificing  till  old  as  Methuselah.  When  Poly  carp 
and  such  as  he  are  bound  and  led  to  the  stake,  the  blood  that 
falls  to  the  ground  becomes  henceforth  and  forever  the  "  seed 
of  the  Church."  The  deeds  of  "  God's  slaughtered  ones  are 
hallowed  by  death,  and  the  influence  of  the  martyr  survives 
when  the  lips  which  testified  for  Jesus  are  consumed  by  the 
fire.  The  martyr  himself  can  not  be  dishonored,  while  every 
blow  inflicted  becomes  a  tongue  of  flame. 

As  a  fitting  close  to  the  funeral  services,  the  following  tribute 
was  read,  which  had  been  unanimously  adopted  by  the  Session, 
in  view  of  the  sad  bereavement  which  had  befallen  the  com- 
munity, through  the  mysterious  providence  of  Him  whose 
judgments  are  unsearchable  and  His  ways  past  finding  out : 

By  the  death  of  our  beloved  pastor,  Rev.  Samuel  B.  McPheeters,  D. 
D.,  vi^ho  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  on  Wednesday,  March  9,  1870,  the  Session  of 
Mulberry  Church  feel  constrained  to  give  expression,  officially,  to  the  pro- 
found sorrow  of  the  people  of  his  charge  and  their  affectionate  reverence 
for  his  memory,  and  to  bear  testimony  to  his  pre-eminent  worth  as  a  pastor 
and  teacher  of  the  Church,  his  holy  zeal  as  a  martyr  for  the  truth,  his 
spotless  purity  of  character  as  a  man  in  every  relation  of  life,  and  the  efful- 
gent brightness  of  his  example  as  an  humble  follower  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 
While  a  profound  reverence  for  the  well  known  wishes  of  our  beloved  pas- 
tor, whose  unaffected  Christian  modesty  ever  shrank  instinctively  from  the 
praise  of  men,  restrains  us  in  the  expression  of  our  admiration  of  his  genius, 
his  nobleness,  his  wisdom  and  his  exalted  piety,  yet  a  deep  conviction  of 
duty  to  Christ  and  His  truth  impels  us,  as  office  bearers  in  the  Church  and 
representatives  of  the  desires  of  the  people,  to  bear  witness  to  the  wonder- 
ful excellency  and  power  of  the  grace  of  Christ  as  exhibited  in  the  life  and 
death  of  this  reverend  man  of  God.  For  in  this  time  of  spiritual  declension 
within  the  Church,  and  cavil  and  scoff  without,  what  more  effective  argument 
can  be  offered  for  the  reality  of  the  religion  of  the  gospel,  notwithstanding 
the  inconsistencies  and  failures  of  so  many  who  profess  the  gospel,  than 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  355 

such  a  life,  followed  by  such  a  death.  While  as  a  smitten  flock  we  sit 
broken  hearted,  and  the  wail  of  sorrow  is  heard  in  every  family  of  the  con- 
gregation, as  though  each  had  lost  a  beloved  member,  we  can  but  adore  the 
great  goodness  of  our  Lord,  that  in  the  season  of  our  darkest  trials  He 
should  have  sent  us  such  a  pastor  to  break  to  us  the  word  of  Hfe.  We  de- 
sire to  testify  that  though  our  pastor  labored  under  great  physical  weakness 
during  his  whole  ministry  among  us,  and  though  for  three  years  past  he 
has  been  obliged  to  preach  lying  upon  his  couch  instead  of  standing  in  the 
pulpit,  yet  our  people  have  unanimously  regarded  themselves  as  among  the 
most  highly  favored  of  Churches  in  respect  of  pastoral  ministrations,  and 
every  child  of  God  among  us  remembers,  with  hearts  full  of  liveliest  grati- 
tude, how,  under  his  instructions,  they  have  grown  in  grace.  We  desire 
to  give  utterance  to  the  universal  testimony  of  the  people,  professors  and 
non-professors  alike,  to  the  singular  and  varied  excellencies  of  character 
which  marked  his  intercourse  with  all  ages,  all  classes  and  conditions.  Of 
him  the  most  worldly  and  godless  have  been  constrained  to  admit  "that 
we  find  no  fault  in  this  man." 

In  him  those  perplexed  with  the  troubles  of  hfe  never  failed  to  find  the 
wisest  of  human  counselors.  By  him  the  soul  in  darkness  was,  with  wonderful 
skill,  led  to  Christ ;  the  aged  saint  was  comforted  through  his  rich  expe- 
rience in  the  Christian  Hfe ;  while  his  genial,  companionable  spirit  attracted 
even  the  thoughtless  to  heed  his  solemn  counsels  and  warnings.  Our  chil- 
dren, won  by  his  gentleness  and  unfailing  cheerfulness,  were  sweetly  led  to 
Him  who  took  the  children  in  His  arms  and  blessed  them. 

And  that  this  eminence  in  Christian  virtue  was  the  work  of  Divine 
grace,  none  can  doubt  who  heard,  as  we  have  heard,  his  humble  confession 
of  sinfulness  by  nature  and  by  practice,  and  his  adoring  views  of  the  grace 
that  could  save  such  a  sinner  as  he.  The  heroic  faith  that  enabled  his  soul 
to  triumph  over  bodily  suffering  so  intense  and  so  long  protracted,  and  the 
calm  and  patient  waiting  for  death,  saying,  "for  me  to  hve  is  Christ,  to  die 
is  gain,"  added  to  the  argument  of  his  matchless  hfe,  completes  the  demonstra- 
tion that  a  Gospel  which  has  produced  such  a  character  is  not  of  man,  but 
of  God. 

It  is  impossible  to  depict  the  scene  or  to  describe  the  emo- 
tions of  that  stricken  congregation  when  this  tribute  of  respect 
adopted  by  the  Session  was  read  to  the  Church.  The  moans 
and  tears  that  responded  to  every  utterance,  from  all  parts  of 


356  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

the  house,  testified  that  these  were  no  formal  resolutions  of 
respect,  but  the  sincere  convictions  of  hearts  full  and  overflow- 
ing. Every  one  felt  as  though  a  member  of  his  own  family- 
had  been  taken  away. 

When  the  services  at  Mulberry  were  concluded  the  body 
was  borne  to  Shelbyville,  six  miles  distant,  and  deposited  tem- 
porarily in  the  public  vault  of  Grove  Hill  Cemetery,  to  await 
its  removal  to  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  where  it  might  sleep  till 
the  morning  of  the  resurrection,  near  the  very  spot  in  which 
the  living  witness  had  testified  so  nobly  to  the  truth. 

On  Monday,  April  25,  the  writer,  in  charge  of  the  precious 
remains,  set  out  from  Shelbyville  for  the  city  of  St.  Louis.  By 
previous  arrangement  it  was  determined  that,  on  the  arrival,  the 
last  sad  rites  should  be  performed  quietly  and  without  ostenta- 
tion. Accordingly,  on  Tuesday  morning  the  hearse  moved 
slowly  forward  to  Bellefontaine  Cemetery,  followed  by  a  few 
friends  whose  "  eyes  were  dim  by  reason  of  sorrow."  Through 
the  busy  crowd,  heedless,  rushing  on,  and  along  the  winding 
streets  once  so  familiar — in  the  very  place  where  truth,  in  other 
days,  was  uttered  bravely — the  corse  of  this  man  went  mutely 
to  its  home.  Drs.  Farris,  Lacy,  Anderson,  Brank,  with  Rev. 
W.  H.  Parks  and  the  writer,  companions  of  his  earthly  toil, 
stood  at  the  grave.  The  Book  was  opened,  and  there,  in  that 
city  of  the  dead,  amid  its  myriad  sleepers,  the  ambassador  of 
the  living  God  read  from  St.  Paul's  letter  to  the  Corinthians  the 
sublime  lesson  of  the  resurrection.  Together  we  sang  a  song 
of  Zion,  and  in  words  of  earnest  prayer  committed  all  to  Him 
who  "  after  a  little  while  will  come,  and  will  not  tarry." 

It  was  a  glorious  April  day,  and  the  sun  shone  down  in  mild 
but  bright  effulgence.  The  earth  in  months  past  was  sere  and 
verdureless,  and  gave  signs  of  death.  But  the  winter  is  now 
over  and  gone ;  the  tender  grass  sheweth  itself;  the  fields  look 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  357 

fair  and  green ;  the  modest  wild-flower  blooms ;  the  forest  trees 
make  haste  to  bud,  while  through  their  branches  sing  the  Uttle 
birds ;  and  over  all,  in  its  deep  cerulean  beauty,  hangs  the 
cloudless  sky — these  "  analogies  of  nature  "  pointing  with  em- 
phatic finger  to  a  resurrection  morn,  when  they  who  slumber  in 
their  graves  shall  come  forth  in  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling  of 
an  eye,  at  the  last  trump,  and  the  corruptible  must  put  on 
incorruption,  and  this  mortal,  immortality.  On  this  peerless 
day  we  buried  the  body  of  Samuel  Brown  McPheeters  upon 
the  bank  of  the  great  Mississippi,  fully  assured  that  the  testi- 
mony of  this  steadfast  witness  for  the  Master  shall  survive  and 
be  borne  onward  by  the  faithful  as  long  as  the  "  Father  of 
Waters  "  rolls  down  to  the  sea ;  and  confident,  too,  that  from 
the  tomb,  when  Jesus  comes,  few  brighter  forms  shall  ascend 
to  meet  him  in  the  air  than  the  worn  and  wasted  one  that  has 
just  gone  down  in  hope  to  await,  in  earth's  lowly,  silent  bed, 
that  "  blessed  appearing  of  its  Lord." 


358  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

TESTIMONIAL    LETTERS    OF    CONDOLENCE. 

As  the  tidings  of  Dr.  McPheeters'  death  spread  over  the 
country,  testimonials,  both  pubhc  and  private,  flowed  in  freely 
on  the  family.     Dr.  S.  J.  P.  Anderson  writes : 

"  To  speak  well  of  the .  dead,  and  to  preserve  a  pleasant 
recollection  of  all  that  is  commendable  in  their  lives,  is  one  of 
the  most  powerful,  as  it  is  also  one  of  the  most  amiable,  of 
impulses.  This  tendency,  however,  has  caused  eulogistic  obitu- 
aries to  be  greatly  suspected  and  generally  considered  merely 
formal.  But  there  are  cases  where  the  terms  of  affectionate 
admiration,  even  when  enthusiastic,  are  the  spontaneous  and 
irrepressible  utterance  of  the  bereaved  and  wounded  heart. 
And  it  looks  like  a  wrong  to  the  dead  and  a  robbery  of  the 
living  to  repress  the  utterance  of  the  words  of  loving  praise. 
And  even  they  are  very  inadequate  memorials  of  excellences 
that  are  all  the  grander  and  more  dear  because  they  are  seen 
now  by  eyes  bedimmed  with  tears.  I  know  that  it  will  be  so  in 
what  I  have  to  say  of  that  great  man  in  Israel,  who  has  so 
recently  entered  into  rest.  While  strangers  may  regard  this  sketch 
as  altogether  too  highly  wrought,  those  who  knew  him  well  and 
intimately  will  lay  it  aside  as  an  imperfect  and  inadequate  por- 
traiture of  one  of  the  most  truly  noble  men  that  God  has  given 
the  Church  of  the  present  generation.  I  have  known  him 
intimately  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  through  the  joy  and 
sorrow,  prosperity  and  adversity,  the  honor  and  reproach  of 
that  long  time  he  has  constantly  greatened  in  ni}^  view  as  a 
Christian,  preacher  and  theologian,  and  has  gained  a  firmer 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  359 

hold  of  the  tenderest  and  strongest  fibers  of  my  heart  as  a 
friend  and  brother.  And  I  say  now  that  he  was  one  of  the 
most  faukless  men  in  all  the  relations  of  life  that  I  have  ever 
known.  As  a  companion  he  had  few  equals  and  no  superiors. 
Endowed  with  a  most  exquisite  wit,  whose  keen  and  pohshed 
edge  was  never  jagged  by  acrimony  or  envy,  he  had  also  those 
sympathies  and  generous  emotions  that  hindered  any  use  of 
his  remarkable  powers  that  would  inflict  pain.  He  loved  his 
friends  too  much  to  use  them  for  the  exhibition  of  his  wit  in 
any  way  that  could  rankle  in  the  memory.  These  qualities 
made  him  one  of  the  most  delightful  of  companions,  and  often 
in  intervals  of  study  and  in  long  days  of  travel  have  I  enjoyed 
the  unflagging  interest  that  he  could  give  to  social  intercourse. 
But,  better  than  this,  he  was  an  humble,  sincere  and  ardent 
Christian.  Without  one  particle  of  cant,  he  so  lived  and  talked 
that  every  one  was  profoundly  impressed  with  his  love  of  God 
and  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  the  souls  of  men.  In  the  pulpit 
and  in  private  he  impressed  men  with  the  conviction  that  the 
loadstone  of  his  mind  and  heart  was  the  love  of  Christ,  and 
that  his  whole  deportment  was  prompted  and  governed  by  the 
principles  of  the  Gospel.  There  was  a  daily  beauty  in  his  life 
that  sustained  and  enforced  his  teachings  from  the  pulpit. 

"  With  these  qualifications  he  could  not  be  otherwise  than  an 
impressive  and  powerful  preacher.  Those  who  heard  him 
attentively  and  intelligently  saw  in  his  discourses  strong  thought 
clearly  expressed,  enforced  by  a  terrible  earnestness  that  left  no 
room  for  the  thought  that  this  was  a  mere  perfunctory  perform- 
ance. The  flashes  of  his  eloquence  were  not  like  summer  light- 
ning— a  sort  of  celestial  pyrotechnics,  to  amuse  and  delight — but 
the  overflow  of  volcanic  fire  that  burned  in  the  very  depths  of 
his  soul.  He  preached  in  full  view  of  the  great  white  throne, 
before  which  he  and  his  hearers  were  soon  to  stand. 


360  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,   D.  D. 

"  He  was  also  an  able  theologian.  It  is  no  disparagement 
to  his  brethren  of  the  Synod  of  Missouri  to  say  that  he  was 
the  peer  of  the  best  of  them — clear,  acute  in  his  discriminations, 
full  and  accurate  in  his  judgments,  and  broad  and  comprehen- 
sive in  his  statements.  These  things  being  so,  it  would  be 
justly  concluded  that  he  was  tenderly  loved  as  well  as  much 
admired  by  his  congregation.  Indeed,  I  do  not  know  that  I 
ever  knew  a  pastor  to  whom  his  people  clung  more  tenaciously. 
They  preferred  him  to  any  one  else,  and  adhered  to  him  in  the 
dark  days  of  the  strife,  which  cast  a  gloom  over  the  midday  of 
his  usefulness,  when  their  loving  allegiance  cost  them  some- 
thing. He  had  a  clear  perception  of  the  fact  that  Christ's 
kingdom  is  not  of  this  world,  and  bravely  maintaining  his 
principles  when  greatly  tempted  to  swerve  from  them,  or,  at 
least,  temporize  and  conceal,  he  gave  them  a  clear,  clarion-like 
utterance  that  no  one  was  so  stupid  as  to  misunderstand,  and 
bore  the  silencing  of  his  voice  in  the  pulpit  and  banishment 
from  his  field  of  labor  rather  than  retract  or  qualify.  And  yet 
he  endured  persecution  without  murmuring  and  without  resent- 
ment. Even  the  treachery  of  false  brethren  did  not  arouse  him 
to  harsh  or  railing  accusations.  He  had  enough  of  the  Master's 
spirit  to  pray,  '  Father,  forgive  them,  they  know  not  what  they 
do.'  He  passed  through  the  furnace  kindled  by  human  hands 
without  the  smell  of  fire  on  his  garments.  And  though  these 
cruel  persecutions  stopped  his  mouth  and  broke  his  health,  so 
as  to  hasten  the  day  of  mourning  that  is  on  us  now,  he  was 
ever  cheerful  and  happy.  The  sunshine  of  an  approving  con- 
science and  the  presence  of  that  Savior  for  whom  he  suffered 
was  his  unfailing  support.  But  his  faith  sustained  a  fiercer  trial. 
It  was  hard  to  bear  the  stroke  inflicted  by  the  hand  of  former 
friendship,  but  harder  still  to  submit  when  his  Father  on  high 
pointed  him  to  another  furnace  of  heat  and  bid  him  enter  it. 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETRS,    D.  D.  361 

Painful,  prostrating  and  protracted  sickness  did  not  dim  his 
cheerful  faith.  Those  who  approached  his  chamber  of  pain, 
trembling  with  sympathy,  went  away  thanking  God  for  such 
grace  to  his  servant  and  ashamed  of  their  own  petty  grief. 
His  death  was  as  illustrious  as  his  life.  We  thank  God  for 
both. 

"But  this  brief  record  would  be  unpardonably  incomplete 
without  mention  of  the  circumstances  of  his  last  sickness,  which 
so  affectingly  exhibit  his  love  of  ministerial  work  and  his  zeal 
for  souls.  When  confined  to  his  room  and  prostrate  on  his 
couch  he  invited  the  young  people  of  his  charge  to  gather 
around  him  in  a  Bible  class,  and  thus  on  his  back  he  taught 
them  out  of  the  Scriptures  and  tenderly  exhorted  them  to 
remember  their  Creator  in  the  days  of  their  youth — counsels 
which,  enforced  as  they  were  by  the  affecting  circumstances 
that  surrounded  him,  were  greatly  blessed  in  drawing  them  to 
Christ.  And  when  the  great  interest  of  these  services  drew  so 
many  as  to  overcrowd  his  chamber  and  the  avenues  to  it,  he 
requested  to  be  carried  to  his  church,  and  there  from  his  couch 
preached  Christ  to  the  people  of  his  charge.  And  thus  for  three 
years  he  spoke  from  the  borders  of  the  tomb,  '  as  a  dying  man 
to  dying  men,'  the  things  which  make  for  our  peace.  Such 
devotion  to  his  work  has  been  seldom  paralleled.  It  may  well 
be  written  in  the  same  chapter  that  speaks  of  Bunyan's  preach- 
ing from  his  prison. 

"  We  take  leave  of  this  dear  brother  with  an  almost  envious 
admiration  of  the  honor  put  on  him  and  of  the  rest  that  he  has 
attained,  and  say,  '  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly.' " 

Dr.  J.  R.  Wilson  observes :  "  In  all  the  elements  of  a  true 
manhood  brother  McPheeters  has  had  few  equals.  His  intel- 
lect was  of  the  finest  order,  or  rather,  was  large  enough  to  have 
room  in  its  love  for  his  bitterest  and  most  relentless  enemies  ; 


362  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

and  I  never  knew  any  man  with  a  conscience  more  clear  in  its 
perceptions,  or  who  listened  with  more  childlike  obedience  to 
the  voice  of  that  divine  mentor. 

"  It  was  a  dark  day  for  the  Presbyterian  Church  when  she 
permitted  the  strong  hand  of  the  persecutor  to  be  laid  upon 
this  faithful  man  of  God.  And  it  was  a  still  darker  day  when 
she  herself,  in  suicidal  madness,  '  cast  him  out  of  the  Church' 
and  branded  him  as  a  '  rebel,'  a  '  slanderer,'  and  '  a  schismatic' 
T/iaf  record  is  upon  earth,  and  his  record  is  on  high.  The 
day  is  not  distant  when  these  two  records  shall  be  laid  side 
by  side,  before  the  Judge  of  quick  and  dead,  who  is  no  re- 
specter of  persons  or  of  majorities.  Perhaps  before  that  day 
those  who  did  that  deed  of  wanton  and  cruel  wrong  may 
repent  of  their  deed  and  be  forgiven.  That  it  may  be  so  none 
will  pray  more  earnestly  than  he  who  loved  with  a  brother's 
love  the  victim  of  that  wrong.  But  no  ordinary  repentance 
can  suffice  for  such  a  deed.  It  is,  I  think,  the  remark  of  Prin- 
cipal Cunningham,  '  that  a  hundred  years  of  repentance  would 
scarce  suffice  to  wipe  out  from  the  page  of  Scottish  Church 
history  the  guilt  and  shame  of  the  casting  out  of  the  Erskines 
from  that  Church.'  Will  twice  a  hundred  years  of  repentance 
efface  from  the  records  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  the  foul 
blot  with  which  they  are  stained  by  the  exclusion  from  her 
pale  of  that  truest  and  noblest  of  her  sons — Samuel.  B.  Mc- 
Pheeters  ?" 

Hon.  F.  P.  Blair  remarks :  "  My  acquaintance  with  our 
lamented  friend  was  formed  when  we  were  school  boys  at 
Chapel  Hill  College,  in  North  Carolina,  where  we  were  class- 
mates and  room-mates.  He  had  a  charm  of  manner  and  a 
sweetness  of  expression  which  won  the  hearts  of  all  who  ap- 
proached him ;  but  to  the  outward  graces  were  added  the 
sterling  qualities  of  head  and  heart  which  formed  the  solid 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D.  363 

foundations,  distinguished  for  vigorous  intellect,  purity  and  de- 
votion to  principle,  and  which  commanded  the  respect  and 
admiration  of  all  who  were  associated  with  him  through  hfe. 

"  I  knew  him  in  after  life,  when,  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel, 
he  sought  to  comfort  and  strengthen  his  fellow  men  with  his 
own  pure  faith.  The  bright  and  cheerful  spirit  of  his  youth 
had  given  place  to  a  more  matured  and  thoughtful,  but  not  less 
pleasing  and  delightful  temper.  And  even  in  those  days  of 
conflict,  when  individuals,  who  were  bound  together  by  ties  of 
affection  and  kindred,  were  torn  asunder  by  the  convulsion 
which  shook  a  nation,  there  was  something  in  his  gentle  nature 
that  saved  him  from  that  bitterness  by  which  so  many  of  us 
were  stirred. 

"  When  his  labors  and  disease,  which  had  so  long  lurked  in 
his  system,  had  almost  completed  their  work,  and  he  approached 
the  confines  of  life,  it  seemed  to  me,  as  I  last  saw  his  broken 
and  prostrate  form,  that  his  fortitude  and  cheerful  resignation 
had  given  him  the  power  to  overcome  not  only  the  pains  which 
afflict  the  body,  but  to  dispel  the  dark  shadows  of  the  impene- 
trable future,  whose  gloom  gives  a  sharper  pang  than  the 
tortures  of  the  body. 

"  It  has  never  been  my  fortune  to  know  a  better  or  purer  man, 
or  one  more  upright  and  conscientious  in  the  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  the  most  difficult  and  highest  calling  among  men, 
and  I  feel  it  presumptuous  in  me,  even  at  the  request  of  friends, 
to  attempt  the  delineation  of  a  character  which  excites  my 
highest  admiration,  but  which  I  have  shown  so  little  capacity 
to  imitate." 

Rev.  A.  J.  Witherspoon  says :  "  I  was  chaplain  of  the  21st 
Alabama  volunteer  regiment,  and  was  taken  prisoner  in  the 
battle  of  Shiloh,  Tennessee,  April  7,  1862.  I  was  confined  in 
the  McDowell  College  Prison,  St.  Louis,  Mo.     I  was  sick, 


364  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

near  unto  death,  and  reduced  to  a  shadow;  had  not  even  a 
change  of  raiment,  and  had  worn  the  same  clothes  for  three 
weeks ;  had  no  current  money,  and  was  too  feeble  to  do  any- 
thing for  myself.  In  that  forlorn  condition  a  gentleman  of 
the  gentlest  and  kindest  manners  came  to  me  in  prison.  He 
said  his  name  was  McPheeters,  Presbyterian  minister,  of  St. 
Louis.  He  inquired  if  it  were  possible  that  I  was  a  minister 
of  the  gospel  in  that  situation.  He  said,  '  My  brother,  you 
need  aid.'  And  he  gave  it.  The  man  seemed  so  overcome 
that  he  offered  me  his  entire  purse.  I  declined  this,  but  re- 
ceived a  small  sum  that  would  pay  for  my  washing.  He  in- 
sisted that  I  should  take  more.  I  declined.  He  wept  and  I 
wept.  He  said  that  he  was  allowed  but  a  few  moments  to  stay ; 
that  it  was  with  great  difficulty  that  he  got  admittance  at  all. 
Dr.  McPheeters  left,  and  I  never  saw  him  afterward,  but  I 
never  lacked  again  for  clothing,  nourishment,  medicine  or 
money  during  the  four  months  of  imprisonment  that  remained. 
When  I  saw  the  announcement  of  his  death  I  mourned  over 
the  loss  of  such  a  man  at  such  a  time  when  good  and  honest 
men  are  so  much  needed." 

Mr.  L.  Y.  Button,  a  man  of  the  world,  of  excellent  sense, 
but  remarkable  for  the  asperity  of  his  judgment  in  regard  to 
mankind  in  general,  said  to  the  writer :  "  I  can  see  faults  in 
Mr.  A.  and  in  Dr.  B.  I  thought  I  could  detect  faults  in  any 
body,  but  I  lived  here  five  years  in  sight  of  Dr.  McPheeters 
and  I  watched  him  closely.  I  heard  him  talk ;  he  always  talked 
right.  I  saw  what  he  did ;  he  always  did  right.  Sir,  that  man 
stumped  me,  for  I  could  find  no  fault  at  all  in  him." 

Dr  Plumer  says  :  "  I  knew  S.  B.  McPheeters  when  a  little 
boy.  I  have  loved  him  for  more  than  forty  years.  My  esti- 
mate of  his  character  has  always  been  high.     I  have  never 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  365 

known  a  more  manly,  sincere,  upright  or   lovely  person.     I 
only  regret  that  I  have  been  so  little  with  him." 

Letters  of  sympathy  and  consolation  were  also  received. 
Dr.  S.  R.  Wilson,  on  March  loth,  wrote  to  Mrs.  McPheeters, 
saying :  "  You  asked  me  to  remember  you  and  write  you  a 
word  for  comfort  and  strength.  I  promised  to  do  so.  But 
now,  what  shall  I  say  ?  The  stroke  so  long  anticipated  has 
come  at  last.  Yet  it  is  sore  and  heavy.  Looking  for  it  to  fall 
does  not  much  lighten  the  blow.  It  has  staggered  you — how 
the  head  reels  and  the  heart  faints  !  How  obscure  the  prom- 
ises once  so  plain,  and  seemingly  easy  to  understand  and  apply 
— how  obscure  they  have  all  at  once  become.  Indeed,  you, 
perhaps,  can  hardly  see  them  through  the  mist  sorrow  has  shed 
over  your  eyes.  This  is  not  strange.  Now  no  chastening  for 
the  present  seemeth  to  be  joyous,  but  grievous.  To  be  a  true 
and  loving  child  of  a  reconciled  God  is  not  to  be  a  stoic.  It 
is  to  have  a  tender  heart  like  that  of  Jesus,  a  heart  whose  over- 
flowings must  find  a  way  or  it  would  break.  Jesus  wept.  So 
may  we.  '  Behold  how  He  loved  him."  You  loved — oh ! 
how  much  you  alone  can  understand — you  loved  your  noble, 
generous,  good  husband.  With  your  wifely  joy  a  stranger 
could  not  intermeddle ;  how  then  can  a  stranger  know  the  bit- 
terness of  your  heart  from  which  that  joy  is  torn  !  But  let  the 
sweetness  of  its  remembrance  take  away  the  pungency  of  its 
loss.  Did  he  not  teach  you,  by  his  own  example,  how  to  re- 
joice in  tribulation ;  how  to  praise  God  in  the  fire  as  well  as 
in  the  green  pastures  ;  how  to  walk  by  faith  and  not  by  sight  ? 
To  have  been  the  wife  of  such  a  man  of  God — his  companion, 
his  help — so  long;  to  have  enjoyed  for  so  many  years  the  com- 
munion of  such  a  spirit— is  not  this  an  honor,  a  privilege,  to 
call  for  gratitude  ?  And  when  you  must  needs  part  for  a  little 
while,  to  see  him  going  away  so  smilingly.     Not  because  he 


366  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

loved  you  less — oh !  no,  but  because  he  loved  his  blessed 
Master  more ;  because  orders  had  come  from  the  King  and  he 
was  wanted  at  court.  You  will  not  repine,  I  know.  You  can 
not  but  miss  him,  so  much !  And  tears  must  flow.  Many 
days  and  nights  you  will  sit  alone  and  weep.  But  the  sun  will 
shine  through  the  rifted  clouds  again,  more  bright  than  ever, 
and  the  dew  drops  will  become  diamonds  in  his  beams,  and 
the  rainbow  will  span  the  heavens,  and  faith's  eye  will  look  up 
into  the  blue  azure  in  the  far  off  firmament,  and  will  see  the 
way  worn  servant  of  God  resting  from  his  labors  upon  the 
bosom  of  his  Redeemer.  And  then  you  will  see  how  good  for 
him,  and  for  you  as  well,  has  been  this  parting  for  awhile.  I 
am  sure  that  if  not  in  this  brief  life,  yet  on  the  other  side  of 
the  river,  you  will  praise  Him  for  this  who  doeth  all  things  in 
love  to  His  own.  But  try  and  begin  His  praise  even  now. 
Say,  '  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord.'  He  comes  to  you 
in  the  darkness  and  you  may  hear  His  kind  voice  saying,  '  It 
is  I,  be  not  afraid.' 

***Had  He  asked  us,  well  we  know 
We  should  cry,   "Oh!  spare  the  blow ! 
Yes,  with  streaming  tears  should  pray, 
Lord,  we  love  him,  let  him  stay." 

"'But  the  Lord  doth  naught  amiss, 
And  since  He  hath  ordered  this. 
We  have  naught  to  do  but  still 
Rest  in  silence  on  His  will.' 

"And  that  is  a  firm  resting  place — a  place  of  safety  and 
repose. 

"  But  I  shall  weary  you  with  words — not  comfort  your  aching 
heart.  Accept  the  desire  to  minister  to  your  great  grief,  and 
excuse  the  poor  solace  I  have  been  able  to  give.  Nothing  but 
necessity  keeps  me  from  coming  up  to  follow  the  precious  dust 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    M'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  367 

of  my  much  loved  friend  and  brother  in  Jesus  to  the  grave. 
The  labors  of  a  communion  season  forbid.  But  I  will  think  of 
you  and  your  dear  children  to-morrow  and  weep  with  you  in 
spirit,  though  not  permitted  to  be  present  in  body.  May  Jesus 
strengthen  you  in  that  hour.  If  I  can  do  any  thing  for  you  or 
your  family,  do  me  the  favor  to  command  my  services.  Tell 
the  boys  to  emulate  the  high,  noble,  Christian  example  of  their 
father. 

"  Commending  you  all  to  the  Shepherd  of  Israel  and  that 
Father  who  careth  for  you,  I  remain  most  sincerely  your  friend 
in  Jesus." 

Rev.  D.  W.  Shanks,  of  Falling  Spring,  Virginia,  writes: 
''It  is  unnecessary,  my  dear,  afflicted  sister,  to  say  to  you  that 
I  deeply  sympathize  with  you  in  a  loss  which  this  world  can 
never  repair.  However  much  of  comfort  you  may  have  in  the 
life  and  death  of  your  dear  husband,  you  have  sustained,  with- 
out question,  a  great  ( I  had  almost  said  an  irreparable)  loss ; 
but,  blessed  be  God,  it  is  not  irreparable,  for  earth  hath  no 
sorrow  which  heaven  can  not  heal.  His  grave  may — yea, 
doubtless  will — cast  a  shadow  over  the  rest  of  your  days ;  but 
that  shadow  shall  flee  away  before  the  light  of  heaven,  and 
your  loss  will  be  eternally  repaired  in  the  blessed  reunion  of 
that  place  where  there  is  no  more  going  out  or  partings.  You 
sorrow  not,  my  dear  sister,  as  those  who  have  no  hope.  Cer- 
tainly, if  we  can  ever  say  of  a  departed  friend  that  he  is  this 
day  in  glory,  the  life  of  your  dear  husband  warrants  us  to  speak 
thus  of  him.  There  are  few  such  Christians.  Such  gentleness, 
kindness,  charity,  love,  modesty  and  humility  have  rarely  graced 
the  character  of  any  one.  I  believe  I  have  never  known  so 
many  lovely  and  attractive  qualities  united  in  one  character  as 
that  of  your  husband.  He  w-as  universally  esteemed,  universally 
loved.     Other  persons  interest  us,  but  he  was  not  simply  agree- 


368  MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

able,  but  won  at  once  the  hearts  of  all  who  knew  him.  I  can 
not  see  how  such  a  man  could  have  an  enemy.  He  was  so 
gentle,  sincere,  guileless  and  unpretentious  that  even  the  most 
envious  could  but  rejoice  in  his  success.  If  he  was  the  foun- 
tain of  joy  in  the  social  circle — as  he  always  was — no  one  felt 
overshadowed,  but  all  went  away  charmed  with  his  simplicity 
and  company.  As  a  preacher  he  had  a  single  eye.  I  suppose 
no  one  ever  suspected  any  other  motive  in  his  preaching  than 
the  glory  of  his  Master.  He  ceased  not  to  teach  and  to  preach 
Christ  crucified.  When  he  ascended  the  pulpit,  the  great  con- 
straining power  in  him  was  the  love  of  Christ ;  his  personality 
was  lost  in  his  official  character  as  ambassador  for  Christ. 

"  I  might  say  much  more  about  him,  but  if  he  were  living  he 
probably  would  not  like  what  I  have  already  said.  But  as  I 
loved  him  I  could  not  fielp  saying,  in  part,  why  I  and  all  loved 
him.  My  dear  sister,  you  have  lost  a  treasure  and  the  Church 
of  Christ  a  jewel ;  but,  blessed  be  God,  your  treasure  is  now 
laid  up  in  heaven  and  the  Church's  jewel  is  now  a  sparkling 
gem  in  the  diadem  of  her  King.  It  was  His  will  that  he  should 
leave  us  and  be  with  Him  that  he  might  behold  His  glory. 
Jesus  made  him  lovely  while  on  earth ;  what  He  gave  He  has 
taken  away,  that  he  may  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firma- 
ment and  the  stars  forever  and  ever.  And  we  should  remem- 
ber that  in  such  afiections  there  is  a  compensation.  What  we 
lose  others  gain,  as  the  setting  sun,  while  it  darkens  one  part 
of  our  globe  goes  to  gladden  another.  If  he  has  left  us,  he  is 
now  an  accession  to  heaven ;  if  he  has  ceased  to  preach  Christ 
here,  he  is  still  crying,  '  Unto  Him  that  loved  me  and  washed 
me  from  my  sins  in  His  own  blood,  unto  Him  be  honor  and 
dominion  and  praise.'    Happy  hfe,  happy  death,  happy  eternity." 

From  Mrs.  D.  Ridgeley,  formerly  a  member  of  the  Pine 
Street  flock,  there  came  the  following  gentle  words : 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  36"^ 

"  I  have  hesitated,  my  dear  friend,  about  intruding  upon 
your  sorrows,  but  can  no  longer  resist  the  desire  to  offer  to  you: 
my  most  heartfelt  sympathies.  I  sincerely  mourn  my  beloved 
pastor,  who  filled  in  an  eminent  degree  that  relation  to  me, 
I  can  never  forget  our  last  interview  when  he  came  as  com- 
forter, after  God  had  taken  my  little  daughter  to  Himself. 
How  much  I  thought  of  him  and  missed  his  sympathy  in  my 
recent  trial  I  can  not  tell,  when  my  first  born  darling  left  me ! 
I  feel  that  my  religious  relations  with  the  Pine  Street  Church, 
under  your  dear  husband's  care,  was  the  most  pleasant  and 
profitable  I  have  ever  enjoyed. 

"That  God  will  be  with  you  and  yours  I  can  not  doubt;  that 
He  will  sustain  and  comfort  you,  is  my  earnest  prayer." 

Rev.  Dr.  R.  P.  Farris  says  :  "  I  can  not  write,  but  I  can 
weep  and  rejoice  with  you.  You  do  not  need  to  be  told  that 
I  loved  your  husband,  yes,  with  the  sincerest,  fondest,  most 
unreserved  affection.  I  knew  that  he  was  suffering  here,  I 
knew  that  a  mansion  was  ready  for  him  in  the  '  Father's 
House,'  but  still  I  have  been  so  selfish  as  to  wish  to  keep  him 
with  us.  And  now  that  he  has  gone  home,  it  is  as  when  my 
own  precious  ones  have  been  called  away  from  my  fireside. 
Please  accept  my  sympathy  and  that  of  my  household  for 
yourself  and  the  children.  We  know  that  the  confidence  with 
which  your  husband  committed  you  and  them  to  the  covenant 
keeping  Saviour  shall  be  rewarded  with  great  blessing  to  you 
all." 

Rev.  James  H.  Brookes,  D.  D.,  offered  his  tribute  of  affection 
and  condolence : 

"  It  will  relieve  my  own  heart  to  write,  for  thoughts  of  your 
dear,  noble  husband  are  continually  engaging  my  mind.     Some- 
times in  the  solitude  of  my  study,  and  sometimes  when  walk- 
ing in  the  streets,  and  sometimes  while  I  lie  awake  at  night, 
24 


37©  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

and  sometimes  in  the  midst  and  pressure  of  work,  he  engages 
my  mind,  and  I  almost  fancy  that  he  is  near  me.  Ever  since 
I  heard  of  his  death — no,  not  death,  but  of  his  falhng  asleep 
in  Jesus — the  world  has  seemed  much  poorer  and  meaner  than 
it  was,  and  heaven  much  nearer  and  sweeter.  O,  what  a  loss 
his  removal  has  been  to  the  redeemed  on  earth  and  what  a 
gain  it  has  been  to  the  company  beyond !  I  shall  not  see  his 
like  again  this  side  of  the  grave,  and  his  departure  makes  me 
turn  with  a  quick  bound  of  the  heart  to  cry  '  Even  so,  come 
Lord  Jesus.' 

"  In  the  last  letter  I  received  from  him  he  spoke  of  the  coming 
of  Christ  as  his  hope  and  his  joy,  and  that  same  hope  and  joy 
can  animate  your  faith  and  soothe  your  grief  in  this  hour  of 
your  affliction,  my  sister.  Your  husband  is  in  heaven,  and  you, 
too,  are  there  as  God  views  you,  seated  with  our  dear  Lord  in 
the  heavenly  places,  and  therefore  you  are  not  far  separated 
from  each  other.  Mark!  the  Bible,  blessed  book,  says, '  God, 
who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  His  great  love  wherewith  He  loved 
us,  even  when  we  we  were  dead  in  sins,  hath  quickened  us 
together  with  Christ  (by  grace  ye  are  saved)  and  hath  raised 
us  up  together  and  made  us  sit  together  in  heavenly  places  in 
Christ  Jesus.'  All  this  God  has  done — it  is  our  present  stand- 
ing, our  peace  and  portion  in  Christ  even  in  this  world ;  and  if 
so,  how  near  you  and  your  husband  still  are  to  one  another. 
He  is  in  heaven  personally,  and  you  are  there  in  Christ.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  body  of  Christ,  who  is  the  living  Head, 
and  so  are  you,  with  just  this  thin  decaying  film  of  flesh  be- 
tween you  and  him.  He  is  past  the  place  of  condemnation 
and  judgment  and  death,  and  so  are  you,  on  the  heavenward 
side  of  the  Cross,  waiting  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  which 
is  far  better,  or  rather,  waiting  for  Christ  who  will  come  again 
and  receive  you  to  Himself,  that  where  He  is  you  may  be  also. 


MEMOIR   OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D.  37 1 

At  His  coming,  which  may  take  place  before  I  finish  this  letter, 
you  and  your  husband  will  be  together  again.  Think  of  that! 
The  Bible  says,  when  our  Lord  shall  descend  from  heaven  with 
a  shout — and  that  is  before  any  millennium  can  possibly  occur — 
*  the  dead  in  Christ  shall  rise  first,  then  we  which  are  alive  and 
remain  shall  be  caught  up  together  with  them  in  the  clouds  to 
meet  the  Lord  in  the  air,  and^  so  we  shall  ever  be  with  the 
Lord ;  wherefore  comfort  one  another  with  these  words.'  Yes, 
my  dear  sister,  let  me  comfort  you  with  these  words,  for  they 
are  precious  words  and  true  words,  every  one  of  them.  If 
Jesus  were  here  this  is  the  way  he  would  comfort  you.  He 
would  not  chide  your  tears.  He  would  not  rebuke  your  grief, 
but  He  would  tell  you,  while  weeping  in  sympathy  with  your 
sorrow,  of  all  that  your  beloved  one  now  enjoys  and  of  all  that 
you  will  enjoy  soon  in  His  blessed  presence." 

"  '  Oh  !   he's  reached  the  sunny  shore, 

Over  there ! 
He  will  never  suffer  more, 
All  his  pain  and  gi'ief  are  o'er 

Over  there ! 
Oh  !   the  streets  are  shining  gold, 

Over  there! 
And  the  glory  is  untold ; 
'Tis  our  shepherd's  peaceful  fold, 

Over  there  ! 
Oh!  he  feels  no  chilling  blast 

Over  there ! 
For  his  winter  time  is  past 
And  the  summers  always  last, 

Over  there ! 
Oh  !  he's  done  the  weary  fight, 

Over  there! 
Jesus  saved  him  by  His  might, 
And  he  walks  with  Him  in  white, 

Over  there ! 


372  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

Oh !  he  needs  no  lamp  at  night 

Over  there  ! 
For  the  day  is  always  bright 
And  the  Saviour  is  his  light, 

Over  there ! 
Oh !  he  never  sheds  a  tear, 

Over  there ! 
For  the  Lord  Himself  is  near, 
And  to  Him  he's  ever  dear. 

Over  there ! ' 

"  May  the  Lord  increase  your  faith  and  give  you  songs  in 
the  night,  and  cause  you  to  follow  the  dear  pilgrim  '  over  there,' 
leading  your  children  by  the  hand,  so  that  you  may  stand  to- 
gether again,  clothed  in  white,  when  the  sound  of  the  trump 
shall  awake  the  slumberers  in  the  grave." 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  373 


CHAPTER    XX. 

THE     author's     estimate. 

Singular  enough,  the  world,  sinful  as  it  is,  has  ever  enter- 
tained a  kind  of  admiration  for  true  excellence.  It  admires 
while  it  accuses,  persecutes  and  seeks  to  destroy.  No  people, 
however  rude  or  uncultured  have  been  destitute  of  a  hero 
emblazoned  on  their  national  escutcheon.  This  sentiment  finds 
its  source  in  a  yearning  that  is  as  instinctive  as  it  is  universal. 
For  mankind  in  all  countries  admit,  tacitly  at  least,  that  nature 
and  society  have  lost  their  original  mould.  Man  is  now  not 
what  he  once  was.  The  vessel,  somehow  or  other,  has  been 
"  marred  in  the  hands  of  the  potter,"  while  the  creature,  turn 
whither  he  may,  groans  under  burdens  of  iniquity,  suffering 
and  death,  from  which  the  wisdom  of  this  world  offers  no  ade- 
quate escape.  Every  invention  of  the  race  leaves  a  gloomy 
vacuum  in  the  soul,  and  the  same  futile  effort  is  repeated  from 
generation  to  generation,  to  draw  water  from  wells  which  are 
empty  and  from  cisterns  that  are  dry.  The  stern  realities  of 
ordinary  experience,  sooner  or  later,  become  irksome  and  sad. 
The  identical  scenes  from  month  to  month  and  year  to  year 
ever  recurring,  varied  by  disappointment  and  sorrow,  only 
deepen  perplexity  and  augment  dissatisfaction.  The  testimony 
of  Solomon  finds  an  echo  in  every  unregenerated  heart — 
"  Vanity  of  vanities,  all  is  vanity." 

Wearied,  therefore,  with  the  familiar  and  deceptious  routine 
of  earth,  it  is  natural  enough  that  the  mind  should  look  out 
elsewhere  for  prospects  more  enticing.     What  it  can  not  accom- 


374  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    M  PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

plish  in  the  real  it  eagerly  determines  to  encompass  in  the  ideal. 
It  resolves  to  close  the  eye  on  scenes  esteemed  gross  and  un- 
exciting, and  with  melancholy  temerity  ventures  to  create  a 
world  o£  its  own.  It  is  to  this  universal  craving  that  fiction, 
whether  in  prose  or  in  verse,  so  sedulously  panders.  For  the 
occupation  of  the  novelist  would  depart  did  there  not  exist  in 
the  very  constitution  of  man's  nature  an  insatiable  longing  after 
wonderful  things.  Hence,  of  "making  many  books  there  is  no 
end."  The  gorgeous  creations  of  genius  are  fascinating,  because 
the  reader  for  a  moment  banishes  the  common  place.  Fiction 
orders  the  situation,  leaves  out  the  monotonous,  creates  difficul- 
ties, introduces  mystery,  and  in  the  sequel  the  whole  plot 
terminates  in  a  way  adapted  most  exactly  to  the  morbid  taste 
of  the  reader.  Nevertheless,  these  characters  of  romance  are 
without  a  parallel  among  the  sons  and  daughters  of  men  as 
they  move  to  and  fro  in  the  daily  avocations  of  life.  Nor 
could  any  hero  of  fiction,  even  if  his  existence  were  substanti- 
ated, find  a  suitable  arena  in  this  fallen  world  on  which  to  exist 
and  successfully  labor.  Such  a  "creation"  is  only  possible 
upon  the  pages  of  fancy.  The  eye  never  saw  it  clothed  upon 
with  mortality,  and  never  will.  Men  may  chase  the  phantom, 
but  it  leads  at  last  into  a  wilderness  of  despair. 

But,  after  all,  these  aspirations  are  prophetic  and  indicate  the 
possibility  of  a  higher  state  of  existence  "  than  the  life  that  now 
is "  for  the  toiling  and  wearied  spirit.  And,  blessed  be  God, 
that  inborn  desire  has  been  gloriously  answered,  for  the  match- 
less character  which  imagination  strives  in  vain  to  portray  is 
gloriously  unfolded  "in  God  manifest  in  the  flesh."  The 
instinct  is  normal  and  legitimate,  but  while  the  model  of  the 
New  Testament  enforces  admiration  in  the  vilest  of  men,  yet 
the  pattern  exhibited  there  is  so  immaculately  pure  that  the 
sight,  to  an  eye  which  is  evil,  produces  quaking  and  fear,  for 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  375 

to  transgressors  of  any  degree  it  is  a  standing  rebuke.  Here 
is  a  person  whose  thirty-three  years  of  veritable  work  shall 
certainly  outlive  all  the  portraitures  of  romance. 

Nor  did  the  Great  Exemplar  quit  the  world  without  a 
voucher  when  He  Himself  ascended  up  far  above  all  heavens 
that  He  might  fill  all  things.  He  committed  His  doctrine  and 
and  imparted  His  spirit  to  a  company  of  witnesses  who,  with 
their  successors  to  the  end  of  time,  were  to  be  "  living  epistles 
known  and  read  of  all  men."  Earthen  vessels  were  selected, 
and  these  so  set  apart  and  sanctified  that  the  believer  is  bound 
ever  to  say,  "  For  me  to  live  is  Christ."  And  as  the  Master 
Himself  appealed  to  His  own  works,  and  declared  that  these 
bore  witness  of  Him,  so  He  gave  it  in  charge  to  His  disciples 
that  the  same  rule  of  judgment  must  be  applied  to  every  pro- 
fessed follower.  "  Ye  are  my  friends  if  ye  do  whatsoever  I 
command  you."  Christ,  therefore,  is  to  repeat,  in  a  manner. 
His  own  living  testimony  in  the  life  and  example  of  every  faith- 
ful disciple. 

At  the  present  moment,  when  the  pages  of  fiction  overrun 
the  land,  and  when  characters  the  most  distorted,  not  to  say 
pernicious,  are  exhibited  for  imitation,  is  it  not  well  to  recall,  if 
possible,  the  mind  even  of  a  few  from  the  vain  and  delusive 
representations  of  fancy  and  to  fix  it  upon  a  model  whose  vir- 
tues were  real  and  whose  graces  are  inimitable  ?  If  the  great 
heart  of  humanity  pines  for  a  type  of  excellence,  such  as  the 
world  can  not  furnish  in  its  corrupted  generations,  why  should 
it  not  be  pointed  first  to  that  "  Divine  pattern  showed  to  us  in 
the  Mount,"  and  after  and  through  Him  to  the  cloud  of  wit- 
nesses who  confirm  from  age  to  age,  by  godliness  and  holy 
conversation,  the  great  salvation  which  "  at  the  first  begun  to 
be  spoken  by  the  Lord?"  It  matters  not  how  fallen  and  de- 
graded is  every  child  of  Adam  by  nature ;  this  melancholy  and 


376  MEMOIR   OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

undeniable  fact  only  illustrates  more  clearly  and  effectually  the 
gracious  and  superhuman  power  of  Jesus,  when  He  sends  forth 
from  these  empty  cisterns  the  pure  and  sweet  waters  of  life. 

How  far,  therefore,  Christ  reveals  Himself  to  the  Church  and 
the  world  in  the  life  of  this  man  or  that;  to  what  extent  grace 
triumphs  over  the  law  that  is  in  our  members;  by  what  au- 
thority and  with  what  boldness  a  helpless  mortal  may  trust  a 
covenant-making  God — it  is  in  this  light  alone  that  Christian 
biography  can  become  intelligent  or  edifying. 

In  the  task,  therefore,  which  lay  before  him  the  writer  felt 
encouraged,  because  the  character  which  he  sought  to  portray 
was  not  a  worthy  of  the  olden  time,  much  of  whose  authentic 
inner  and  outer  life  the  dust  of  ages  obscured  and  made  doubt- 
ful; but  a  witness  for  the  truth,  whose  course  is  just  finished 
and  whose  race  for  the  goal  "was  seen  of  above  five  hundred 
brethren  at  once,  of  whom  the  greater  part  remain  unto  this 
present." 

And  as  all  who  reverence  genuine  worth  are  interested  in  a 
true  hero  down  to  his  very  bodily  presence,  an  effort  in  the  in- 
stance before  us  shall  be  made  to  gratify  measurably  this  not 
unnatural  curiosity. 

In  person  Dr.  McPheeters  w^as  fully  up  to  the  medium  hight, 
but  very  spare,  and  at  no  period  of  his  life  remarkable  for 
physical  vigor.  With  a  forehead  broad  and  well  developed ; 
an  eye,  in  respose  soft  and  dreamy,  but  under  excitement  flash- 
ing and  brilliant,  reflecting  from  its  clear  blue  depths  perfect 
sincerity — rapid  and  varied  in  expression,  at  one  time  indicating 
righteous  indignation,  at  another  laughing  with  humor,  while 
again  the  fast  falling  tear  pointed  to  inward  tenderness  and 
emotion;  with  a  mouth  prevalent  in  meaning  and  correspondent 
to  the  eye  :  these  two  organs  mirroring  the  thoughts  of  the 
soul  when  the  mind  was  either  enlivened  by  joy  or  dispirited 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  377 

by  sorrow,  whether  batthng  with  error  or  rejoicing  in  the  truth, 
conversing  on  high  themes  or  unbending  with  play.  The  coun- 
tenance of  McPheeters  was  notable  and  possessed  a  magnetism 
not  easily  described,  but  of  which  every  one  felt  conscious  who 
ever  beheld  him  in  the  pulpit  or  sat  by  his  side  in  the  charmed 
circle  of  home.  What  friend  ever  forgot  the  warmth  of  his 
greeting :  "  Why,  sir,  I  am  glad  to  see  you  ?"  And  then,  throwing 
out  his  arm  with  a  quick,  hearty  motion,  and  grasping  the  hand, 
he  would  repeat,  with  emphasis,  "  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you."* 

In  the  life  and  character  of  Dr.  McPheeters  there  was  pre- 
sented as  perfect  a  specimen  of  well  ordered  natural  endow- 
ments, sanctified  and  ennobled  by  grace,  as  we  can  ever  expect 
to  behold  in  this  sin-stricken  world.  Other  men  of  his  gene- 
ration surpassed  him  in  genius,  in  learning,  in  eloquence,  but 
in  this  man  every  faculty  so  harmonized  that  when  a  work  had 
to  be  done  there  were  never  any  delinquent  or  refractory  forces. 
He  was  endowed  with  a  wisdom  that  delivered  him,  consistently, 
from  hasty,  foolish  and  ill-tempered  things. '  With  a  judgment 
pre-eminently  sound,  it  was  safe  at  all  times  to  trust  him  as  a 
counselor.  Indeed,  his  intellect  was  so  constituted  that  had 
he  chosen  the  legal  profession  the  highest  judicial  positions 
would  have  awaited  him,  and  he  could  have  won  lasting  re- 
nown for  the  clearness  and  rectitude  of  his  decisions.  His 
impartiality  was  wonderful.  No  amount  of  personal  injury 
could  blind  his  mind  to  the  truth.  But  in  all  instances,  and 
on  the  very  rack  of  exile  and  abuse,  he  weighed  with  delibe- 
rate scrutiny  the  arguments  of  opponents.  He  guarded  with 
vigilance  the  avenues  to  prejudice,  and  changing  situations 
with  an  adversary,  until  a  stranger  almost  suspected  him  of 
compHcity,  he  turned  over  and  over  in  his  own  mind  every 

•The  steel-plate  was  presented  by  Pine  Street  and  Mulberry  congregations. 


378  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

plausible  objection.  He  was  never  so  exacting  as  when  dealing 
with  himself. 

The  piety  of  Dr.  McPheeters  was  cast  in  the  loftiest  mould, 
and  yet  there  never  appeared  in  its  composition  a  shadow  of 
fanaticism.  The  atmosphere  in  which  this  man  of  God  existed 
was  not  only  inspiriting,  but  pre-eminently  healthgiving,  and  in 
the  lineaments  of  his  spiritual  frame  there  could  be  found  not 
a  trace  of  the  morbid.  He  was  "  cordial,  cheerful,  energetic, 
self-forgetful,  devout,  fearful  toward  God,  fearless  toward  man, 
firm  for  the  truth  and  the  right,  yet  charitable  and  deferential 
toward  others,  doing  and  suffering  all  for  Jesus'  sake — the 
noblest  and  sweetest  of  all  motives."  His  soul,  to  its  inner- 
most depths,  delighted  in  friendships,  in  fireside  discussions, 
and  his  discourse  was  interspersed  with  corruscations  of  wit  and 
the  outpourings  of  good  nature.  No  man  of  our  day  surpassed 
him  in  capacity  for  rich,  refined  and  racy  humour.  In  the 
bosom  of  friends  he  abounded  in  anecdote,  but  no  temptation, 
persuasion  or  flattery  could  induce  him  to  so  far  violate  deco- 
rum as  to  adorn  a  single  story  with  an  expression  that  even 
savored  of  coarseness  or  vulgar  profanity.  His  humor,  too, 
was  invariably  so  chaste  and  good  natured  that  the  tenderest 
sensibilities  were  never  interrupted,  while  he  could  always  turn 
from  it  in  a  moment  without  violence  to  the  solemnest  subjects. 

The  manner  of  Dr.  McPheeters  was  so  dignified  and  pure 
that  vulgar  familiarity  never  dared  to  approach,  whilst  in  his 
intercourse  with  the  poorest  and  most  ignorant  the  eye  of  de- 
traction itself  could  not  detect  a  shadow  of  assumption.  Airs 
and  affectation  were  irreconcilably  opposed  to  the  inherent  sim- 
plicity of  his  unequivocal  nature.  No  man  of  any  generation 
ever  stood  more  squarely  on  his  merits.  He  even  chafed  at  a 
compliment  which  was  felt  to  be  undeserved.  And  if  it  may 
be  said  of  a  single  individual  that  lives,  that  he  abhors  pretense 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  379 

and  detests  hypocrisy,  the  same  specification,  without  abridg- 
ment, can  be  predicated  of  McPheeters.  In  all  that  concerned 
another,  his  soul,  like  some  transparent  lake,  revealed  its  secrets 
down  to  the  very  bottom.  Not  only  did  he  hold  to  the  truth 
in  the  ordinary  sense,  but  his  refined  and  independent  spirit 
loathed  indirection.  To  know  him  intimately,  day  after  day, 
in  business  cares  and  home,  only  made  the  verdict  more  certain : 
"  Here  is  an  Israelite  indeed  in  whom  there  is  no  guile."  There 
was  something  so  self-forgetful  in  all  that  he  did  that  the  heart 
of  the  most  callous  could  not  fail  to  be  impressed.  Others 
*  might  delight  in  revenge,  and  exact  to  the  uttermost  farthing 
payment  from  a  debtor,  but  it  was  the  joy  of  McPheeters  "  to 
seek  peace  and  pursue  it."  Malignity  could  not  wound  him 
so  deeply  that  he  did  not  forgive,  without  reservation,  the  mo- 
ment it  was  ascertained  that  his  enemy  had  repented.  Under 
no  pressure  from  without  of  vexation  and  wrong  did  he  ever 
yield  to  bitterness  or  indulge  in  recrimination.  She  who  shared 
without  stint  his  confidence  and  love  declared  to  the  writer 
that  throughout  the  four  years  of  outrage  and  persecution, 
never,  even  in  the  sanctity  of  home,  did  her  noble  hearted 
husband  utter  a  word  that  (had  it  been  repeated  without)  could 
have  compromised  him  with  the  world.  But  under  every  trial 
of  body  and  perplexity  of  mind  his  patience  and  calm  were 
truly  majestic.  Nor  did  this  proceed  from  indifference  or 
timidity,  for  the  subject  of  this  memoir  possessed  the  bold- 
ness of  a  martyr,  while  his  sympathy  and  tenderness  were  only 
equaled  by  his  courage.  His  bright,  beaming  eye  never  quailed 
before  a  mortal,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  the  sight  of  wretched- 
ness and  suffering  moved  him  quickly  to  tears. 

Dr.  McPheeters  possessed  a  temperament  so  equably  poised 
that  there  were  never  any  ebullitions  of  ecstacy  or  manifes- 
tations  of  gloom.     But  his  friends    found  him  hopeful  and 


380  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'PHEETERS,    D.  D. 

calm,  even  in  seasons  when  most  men  would  have  murmured 
or  despaired.  He  rarely  alluded  to  his  great  physical  sufferings, 
unless  questioned  by  a  friend,  and  even  then  the  response  was 
always  brief  and  usually  very  cheerful.  Like  all  truly  great 
souls,  he  soon  wearied  with  conversation  about  self,  and  his 
genial  and  disinterested  spirit  eagerly  turned  to  subjects  more 
engaging.  This  suftering  man  was  a  magnificent  study  for 
complainers  of  every  description ;  and  if  all  invalids  exhibited 
the  same  attractions,  the  world  could  well  afford  to  value  its 
sick  among  the  excellent  gifts  of  God. 

In  every  condition  and  relation  of  life  our  departed  friend 
acknowledged  adoringly  the  sovereignty  of  God.  Whilst  others 
brooded  over  misfortune,  mischief  and  oppression,  this  man 
looked  to  the  law  in  his  own  members  and  bravely  fought 
against  that.  Every  thing  about  him  betokened  a  sojourner, 
and  the  pilgrim,  staff  in  hand,  waited  only  for  the  morning. 

As  a  preacher,  Dr.  McPheeters,  in  common  acceptation, 
would  not  be  called  eloquent  And  yet  the  people  always 
heard  him  gladly.  His  apt  illustrations  and  intense  common 
sense  arrested  attention  from  the  start,  and  the  preacher,  rapt  in 
the  fervor  of  his  earnestness,  spake  as  one  who  came  directly 
from  the  presence  of  God,  while  the  message  which  he  bore 
was  fragrant  with  the  incense  that  burns  in  the  Holy  Place. 
The  congregation  were  held  by  authority,  and  '•'  he  who  came 
to  scoff  remained  to  pray."  Dr.  McPheeters  was  faithful  and 
conscientious  in  rebuke,  but  this  was  always  administered 
wisely  and  in  a  spirit  so  excellent  that  the  vilest  transgressor 
could  have  no  reasonable  ground  of  offense. 

There  were  those  who  over-matched  him  in  abstract  argument, 
but  his  intuitions  were  profound  and  seldom  missed.  Indeed, 
his  moral  organization  was  so  healthful  and  delicate  that  it 
shrank  back  instinctively  from  the  very  approaches  of  error. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETRS,    D.  D.  38 1 

It  only  needed  for  a  question  to  be  candidly  propounded  and 
the  mind  of  McPheeters  seized  upon  the  right.  What  was 
developed  to  other  men  by  the  process  of  argumentation  he 
grasped  in  a  moment,  through  the  fine  perceptions  of  his 
understanding.     His  judgments  were  seldom  at  fault. 

His  sermons  were  not  modeled  upon  the  rigid  rules  of  the 
school,  but  he  was  impelled  onward  irresistibly  by  the  logic  of 
the  Cross.  The  love  of  Christ  constrained,  and  transported 
by  this  thought  the  pastor,  in  words  of  wonderful  sweetness, 
entreated  the  flock.  Every  discourse  was  carefully  prepared, 
but  he  always  left  margin  for  "  the  wind  that  bloweth  where 
it  listeth."  And  as  he  mused,  the  fire  burned,  and  his  enrap- 
tured soul  enlarging  at  the  prospect,  his  countenance  glowing 
with  light,  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  poured  forth  from  the  lips 
of  this  ambassador  for  Christ  with  sublime  command  and 
irresistible  pathos.  The  secret  of  McPheeters'  effectiveness 
was  not  in  his  genius,  not  in  his  learning,  not  in  any  art 
practiced  by  the  orator,  but  "  the  expulsive  power  of  a  great 
affection"  thoroughly  mastered  his  spirit,  and  as  his  own  loving 
eye  looked  upon  Jesus  he  could  not  but  exclaim,  in  holy  admi- 
ration and  with  fervid  emotion,  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God 
which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world." 

The  explanation  of  Dr.  McPheeters'  power,  in  the  pulpit 
and  out  of  it,  is  to  be  found  in  the  fact  that  he  held  to,  and 
loved  with  his  whole  heart,  the  doctrines  of  grace.  Theology, 
with  him  was  not  simply  a  scientific  system,  but  a  vital  and 
heavenly  reality.  There  existed  no  lurking  doubt  in  his  mind 
as  to  the  genuineness  and  authenticity  of  the  Gospel,  but  he 
believed,  with  perfect  sincerity,  that  "all  Scripture  is  given  by 
inspiration  of  God,  and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof, 
for  instruction  in  righteousness,  that  the  man  of  God  may  be 
thoroughly  furnished."     Hence  the  written  Word  was  always 


382  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

examined  reverently,  and  a  "Thus  saith  the  Lord"  put  an  end 
to  all  controversy.  He  rejected  mdignantly  that  canon  of  in- 
terpretation which  handles  with  latitude  and  license  the  oracles 
of  God,  and  accepted  joyfully  the  Gospel  of  Christ  as  an  au- 
thoritative revelation— that  Word  of  God  which  eftectually 
worketh  in  them  that  beheve.  For  this  cause  its  doctrines  and 
promises  were  the  unfailing  source  of  steadfast  hope  and  rich 
consolation.  No  man,  however,  could  be  freer  from  Pharisaical 
conceit,  for  in  his  view  the  sinner  has  no  ground  of  justification 
in  himself,  but  altogether  in  another.  The  doing,  in  order  to 
life,  has  all  been  done,  and  man  needs  only  to  receive,  "with- 
out money  and  without  price,"  the  provided  atonement.  The 
Redemption  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus  is  perfect  and  complete. 
No  necessity  of  the  chosen  race  was  overlooked  in  the  original 
scheme.  And  "  when  the  fullness  of  the  time  was  come,  God 
sent  forth  His  Son,  made  of  a  woman,  made  under  the  law,  to 
redeem  them  that  were  under  the  law  that  we  might  receive 
the  adoption  of  sons."  No  part  of  the  plan  was  devised  by 
the  creature,  nor  in  the  execution  of  redemption  can  the  sinner 
even  so  much  as  think  a  good  thought.  "  Herein  is  love;  not 
that  we  loved  God,  but  that  He  loved  us  and  hath  set  forth 
His  Son  to  be  a  propitiation  for  our  sins."  "  Jesus  Christ  gave 
Himself  for  us,  that  He  might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity  and 
purify  unto  Himself  a  peculiar  people  zealous  of  good  works." 
The  salvation  of  the  redeemed,  therefore,  is  neither  of  human 
merit,  nor  of  accident,  nor  a  Divine  after-thought,  but 

"Grace  first  contrived  the  way 
To  save  rebellious  man, 
And  all  the  steps  that  grace  display 
Which  drew  the  wondrous  plan." 

To  use  the  very  words  of  the  dying  McPheeters :  "  I  am  only 
a  poor,  miserable  sinner,  yet  I  have  such  a  mighty  Savior — 
mighty  and  glorious — with  His  own  eternal  arms  around  me. 


MEMOIR    OF    S.    E.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D.  383 

And  He  did  not  just  begin  to  love  me  lately,  but  before,  when 
yet  a  sinner,  and  before^  and  before — back  into  eternity." 
The  law,  that  inexorable  claimant,  demands  payment  to  the 
uttermost  farthing,  but  this  debt,  acknowledged  by  the  believer's 
substitute,  without  quibbling  or  dispute,  was  fully  undertaken 
and  satisfactorily  settled.  Not  an  item  was  overlooked.  '•'  For 
God  sent  His  own  Son,  in  the  likeness  of  sinful  flesh,  and  for 
sin  condemned  sin  in  the  flesh  that  the  righteousness  of  the  law 
might  be  fulfilled  in  us  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh  but  after 
the  Spirit."  And  now,  while  justice  prevails,  since  the  ransom 
price  is  paid,  the  prisoner  must  go  free,  and  henceforth  there  can 
be  no  condemnation  to  them  who  are  in  Christ  Jesus.  The 
redeemed  captive  is  ever  after  the  property  of  another.  The 
sinner  has  no  righteousness  now — he  never  had  any  in  the  past. 
He  never  sought  God  of  himself,  and  had  no  desire  to  retain 
God  in  his  knowledge.  "  But  God  commendeth  His  love  to- 
ward us,  in  that  while  we  were  yet  sinners  Christ  died  for  us, 
much  more  then  being  now  justified  by  His  blood  we  shall  be 
saved  from  wrath  through  Him ;  for  if,  when  we  were  enemies, 
we  were  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  His  Son,  much  more 
being  reconciled,  we  shall  be  saved  by  His  life."  The  safety 
of  the  believer  does  not  and  can  not  depend  on  himself.  He 
is  a  "  purchased  possession."  If  any  lamb  of  the  fold  strays 
and  perishes,  reproach  falls  inevitably  upon  the  shepherd — 
upon  him  who  began  to  build  and  was  not  able  to  finish ;  for 

"  His  honor  is  engaged  to  save 
The  meanest  of  His  sheep." 

It  was  a  profound   heart-belief  of  these  scriptural  truths 

which  enabled  Dr.  TvIcPheeters  to  walk  calmly,  yea,  joyfully, 

amid  the  fires.     He  did  not  regard  salvation  as  future,  but 

faith,  even  "  in  this  country  far  from  home,"  substantiated  the 

invisible.     He  that  believeth  in  the  Son  hath  everlasting  life 

and  shall  not  come  into  condemnation,  but  is  passed  from 

death  unto  life.     The  Church  of  God  is  one,  and  Jesus  Christ, 

the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and  forever,  is  its   Head  of  whom 


384  MEMOIR    OF    S.    B.    m'pHEETERS,    D.  D. 

the  whole  family  in  heaven  and  earth  is  named.  No  child  of 
God  has  to  wait.  His  citizenship  is  already  in  heaven,  and 
from  the  first  moment  of  his  conversion,  onward  forever,  he  is 
blessed  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ. 
The  gifts  and  calling  of  God  are  without  repentance.  Here- 
after the  rod  of  correction  may  be  applied  by  the  hand  of  a 
compassionate  Father,  but  the  vengeance  of  God  is  turned  away 
from  His  redeemed  people  forever.  It  was  a  patient  appre- 
ciation of  the  wonderful  truth,  that  "  all  things  work  together 
for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who  are  the  called 
according  to  His  purpose,  that  softened  the  pillow  of  the  suf- 
fering McPheeters  and  enabled  him  to  rejoice  in  tribulation, 
"  looking  for  that  blessed  hope  and  the  glorious  appearing  of 
the  great  God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ." 

Dr.  Wilson  says  :  "  The  last  night  I  spent  with  him,  when 
in  his  usual  health,  was  in  the  month  of  November  last.  I 
had  preached  in  the  morning  from  Rev.  xxi,  1-4.  Our  con- 
versation turned  upon  the  themes  of  the  sermon — the  New 
Heaven  and  the  New  Earth — the  New  Jerusalem ;  the  personal 
dwelling  of  Jesus  therein  with  His  ransomed  people.  We  sat 
together  till  midnight  talking  of  these  glorious  things  spoken 
of  Zion.  Nor  shall  I  ever  forget  the  glowmg  countenance  and 
fervid  words  which  he  spoke  of  the  New  Jerusalem.  It  was 
just  an  echo  of  the  sweet  notes  of  Bernard  : 
"  '  For  thee,  O  dear,  dear  country, 

Mine  eyes  their  vigils  keep, 

For  very  love  beholding 

Thy  happy  name,  they  vi'eep ; 

The  mention  of  thy  glory 

Is  unction  to  the  breast. 

And  medicine  in  sickness. 

And  love,  and  hfe,  and  rest.' 

"  And  this  loving  hope  lit  up  his  soul  in  the  very  last  moment 
of  his  life." 

Thus  suffering  and  enduring,  laboring  and  rejoicing,  the 
watchman  stood  at  his  post  "till  the  day  broke  and  the 
shadows  fled  away." 


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